Sr Mechatronics Equipment Engineer

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

As a Sr. Mechatronics Equipment Engineer within the Systems Equipment Engineering team, you will lead the design, development, qualification, and sustaining of tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment used to build and test the da Vinci surgical robot. In this role you will design and develop equipment from precision assembly aids, test and calibration stations, lift/assist and ergonomic tooling, to semi-automated and fully automated stations, partnering closely with Design & Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and external equipment vendors.

Essential Job Duties

• Design and develop tooling and fixtures to support da Vinci robotic system manufacturing, including:

• assembly aids, alignment/calibration fixtures, test fixtures

• lift/assist tooling, handling fixtures, ergonomic aids

• semi-automated and fully automated equipment and work cells

• Create clear equipment/tooling requirements (performance, safety, ergonomics, cycle time, measurement capability, reliability, serviceability) and drive concepts through detailed design.

• Provide mechatronics integration for tooling/equipment using sensors, actuators, pneumatics, motors, machine vision and basic control elements; demonstrate exposure to PLCs and a practical understanding of I/O, interlocks, and machine control architecture.

• Create and maintain controlled documentation including:

  • drawings, BOMs, work instructions, maintenance plans, calibration procedures, spare parts lists

  • change management (ECOs) and design history as required

• Develop and execute equipment qualification/validation documentation and activities as applicable (e.g., DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ, PPQ where required).

• Sustain and improve existing tooling/equipment: troubleshoot issues, implement upgrades, optimize performance (uptime, cycle time, yield), and reduce downtime through robust design changes.

• Provide DFx input (Manufacturing, Assembly, Automation, Reliability) to design teams; ensure consistency/commonality of hardware and standard part selections.

• Sustain and improve existing tooling/equipment: troubleshoot issues, implement upgrades, optimize performance (uptime, cycle time, yield), and reduce downtime through robust design changes.

• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, EHS, and R&D to ensure tooling/equipment solutions are safe, manufacturable, and scalable.

• Mentor technicians/engineers as needed on equipment operation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and best practices for safe and reliable tooling use.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong communication skills to interface cross-functionally with product design and development, manufacturing engineering and quality/regulatory.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting of complex electro-mechanical equipment (e.g., FMEA/PFMEA concepts, root cause analysis, basic statistics).

• Experience with automated line controls (PLC, HMI, I/O components), motion/vision control, and mechatronics integration.

• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks preferred); blueprint reading and interpretation; GD&T and tolerance stack analysis.

• Experience with PLM/change control (ECOs), BOM management, and structured documentation practices.

• Organizational skills to manage fast-paced projects simultaneously; prior technical writing experience.

• Experienced with ISO 13485/9001 in medical device or other regulated industry.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience designing automated equipment and complex mechanisms; robotics integration and programming exposure.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes: machining, injection molding, MIM, metal casting, crimping, fastening and joining methods.

• Experience with automated assembly techniques, fixturing, part feeding and handling, automated fastening & screwdriving, pressing forming/joining processes.

Required Education and Training

• BS/MS degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent.

• 8+ years’ experience as a design/manufacturing/equipment engineer supporting products with significant mechanical/electromechanical content.

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].