Software Development Engineer - Equipment Control

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of Position:

Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient safety as our highest priority.

The Automation, Equipment and Test (AET) Team is responsible for making the robots that make the robots. We develop and maintain equipment, fixtures, and tooling that optimize and streamline the manufacturing process of instruments and accessories.

This candidate will play a key role as part of the AET team to enable the design and manufacturing of new surgical robotic systems, instruments, and accessories. This engineer will develop software and algorithms for custom semi-automated electro-mechanical systems that assure products’ performance, reliability and safety. Additionally, this candidate will provide team members with technical leadership and contribute to architecture of manufacturing platform and applications. The position will require close collaboration with product development teams, systems analysts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers to build a coherent diagnostic strategy and develop software to implement that strategy.

Essential Job Duties:

 This role requires but is not limited to:

• Design, develop, and implement software solutions for equipments that builds and tests medical devices such as robotic systems, instruments and accessories
• Build and maintain software infrastructures that enable value extraction from the data generated
• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity
• Understand products’ operations and controls, and develop the means to ensure their integrity in volume production
• Document, direct and perform IQOQPQ and DQ validation activities on manufacturing equipment
• Develop, document and follow good software development practices
• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with minimum guidance
• Take ownership of manufacturing software and work with cross-functional teams to drive projects to completion
• Support and enhance existing production software
• Mentor less experienced engineers

Required Skills and Experience:

• Strong proficiency in modern programming languages, frameworks and tools (C#/Python is a plus)
• Solid understanding of OOA/OOD/OOP/Design Patterns/SW Architecture
• Passionate about technologies and loves programming
• Ability to map, design, develop, and test software solutions from inception to launch
• Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• Experience in integrating software with hardware components such as PLCs, sensors, and robotics
• Experience in System Level Design and Software Platform design
• A track record in driving, planning, executing, and delivering projects and proactively communicating about progress, roadblocks
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies
• Motivated to continually improve best practices
• Ability to work with vague and dynamic requirements
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively (verbal and non-verbal) with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Foster strong sense of team with peers through solicitation of feedback and constructive contribution to review sessions
• Ability to technically lead and mentor a team of engineers, providing technical guidance and support, and drive team projects
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues

Required Education and Training:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years or master’s with 3 years in engineering (Software Engineering or Computer Science preferred) and software design and development experience (higher degree can offset years of experience)

Working Conditions

• Able to work with computers and equipment over extended periods.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Strong industry experience in architecture and development of scalable, production quality software systems
• Fully understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Familiarity with data engineering, especially for industrial domain
• Experience developing robotic or electro-mechanical systems, including control systems
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or regulated engineering environment
• Knowledge of software security principles and practices is plus
• Knowledge of control systems and industrial automation protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC, Ethernet/IP) is plus

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.