Software Engineer - Systems Integration

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

The person in this role will report directly to the technical lead of the advanced energy product. The main responsibilities involve integrating software modules from embedded to top-level user interfaces, ensuring the system software functions together as a cohesive unit. This person will define system software integration plans and test complex modules and systems. To contribute to the project's success, this person will review the source codes, develop test cases, conduct software tests, analyze and investigate problems, and propose appropriate resolutions. This is important as issues can change rapidly during the fast-paced early stages of product development.
 

Essential Job Duties

• Participate in code reviews, provide inputs to software development, conduct an initial assessment of the first candidate builds, and identify potential root causes.
• Drive software and system integration across embedded software, controls, hardware interfaces, and user-facing applications.
• Enhance functional excellence in mechatronic design and prototyping, hardware/software integration, incorporating clinical feedback into the design process, developing characterization and test designs, and ensuring smooth system bring-up and stabilization.
• Adopt a hands-on approach to troubleshoot engineering prototypes in their successive iterations and releases.
• Collaborate on software verification and validation strategies, ensuring that software components are tested and comply with safety standards and performance requirements.
• Ability to develop and document test plans, detailed test procedures, test reports, test activities, and transition plans.

Required Skills and Experience

• More than 5 years of relevant experience in software-focused system integration, test, and product development.
• Strong software background, with experience integrating software across embedded systems, hardware interfaces, and higher-level applications.
• Genuine interest in electronics and comfort working at the boundary between software and hardware.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting and test automation.
• Practical experience with engineering tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
• Previous experience in hardware/software integration.
• Experience with Git for version control.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and an eagerness to collaborate cross-functionally

Required Education and Training
A minimum of 5 years of related experience with a university degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar Engineering field; or 3 years experience and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in formal testing, including software verification
• Familiarity with automation frameworks and reliability testing.
• Experience with C/C++ and/or Qt/QML in embedded environments
• Experience in medical device or other regulated product development environments is desirable.

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.