Sr. Robotic Algorithms and Controls Engineer (Systems Analyst)

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 Systems Analysts (Robotic Control Engineers) are primarily responsible for generating, tuning, and debugging the key algorithms associated with Intuitive Surgical products and providing technical analytic assistance to other engineering groups. As a senior member of the Systems Analyst team working on the Ion Endoluminal System, you will work on both robotic algorithms (feedback control and others) and the development of tools and software infrastructure that support those algorithms. The successful candidate will have the technical depth to tackle deep analysis problems and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to drive future designs and improvements into the product.

The Ion™ endoluminal system is Intuitive's robotic platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the peripheral lung, with an initial goal of improving the early diagnosis of lung cancer. The Ion Product Engineering team is responsible for the continued development and improvement of the Ion™ platform across the full system.

Essential Job Duties

• Apply control theory to the design and verification of mechatronic and robotic systems.
• Bring-up distributed electro-mechanical systems to be used for experimentation.
• Validate and iterate on simulated dynamic models through targeted experimentation.
• Design experimentation that untangles complex dependencies and drives understanding of key relationships
• Design software algorithms for new products and existing field products.
• Design software tools and infrastructure that enable analysis and development of new algorithms.
• Perform comprehensive testing to ensure the quality and performance of algorithms.
• Facilitate mechanical, hardware, and software integration of new products.
• Document and pursue intellectual property.

Required Skills and Experience

• C/C++ and Matlab programming skills. Knowledge of Python is a plus.
• Demonstrate sound engineering judgment and technical skills in problem solving – both software and hardware
• Experience in hardware and software integration of complex electromechanical systems
• Demonstrate intuitive understanding of mechanical phenomena with ability to do rigorous modeling and analysis.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and work independently when necessary.

Required Education and Training

• Completion or current enrollment in a Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Robotics degree-seeking program at the Doctorate level. Masters-level graduates also be considered based on specific relevant experience.
• 4+ years of industry experience.

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.

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].

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.