Sr. Software Engineering Manager

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 Senior Software Engineering Manager will lead a team of software engineers building the network connectivity software that powers Intuitive’s flagship surgical robotic platforms and its next-generation surgical robotics line. This is an opportunity to make a direct, lasting impact on how surgical systems connect, update, and stay serviceable at global scale — work that ultimately helps surgical teams and patients around the world. The successful candidate will contribute broadly to the IoMT & Platform Integration group, with a specific focus on managing the development of network connectivity software for Intuitive’s surgical platforms.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, and maintenance of system-side connectivity software — spanning telemetry, remote software updates, remote service monitoring, and fleet-wide configuration management — as part of a holistic digital solution offered to our customers. You will manage and mentor your team, setting an ambitious technical vision while ensuring they are aligned with project goals, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and excellence. You will also be responsible for guiding the team through planning, development, integration, and evaluation phases to deliver high-quality software solutions that scale across our current and next-generation surgical platforms.

A successful candidate must excel in leading high-energy teams, possess strong communication skills, and demonstrate the ability to balance independent decision-making with collaborative problem-solving. The ability to rapidly learn existing systems and drive creative yet practical solutions from rough requirements is essential. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including product management, architecture, and quality assurance to ensure successful project execution on some of the most technically ambitious platforms in surgical robotics.

Essential Job Duties

• Lead and mentor a team of junior and senior software engineers in designing and developing network connectivity software, including but not limited to system telemetry, remote software update, remote service monitoring, and central configuration management (CCM) fleet capabilities for surgical platforms.

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle, from concept through implementation, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality solutions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements and ensure alignment with business objectives.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to your team, promoting best practices in software design, coding standards, and agile methodologies.

• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and support the professional growth of your team members.

• Manage project timelines, resources, and risks to ensure successful project outcomes.

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, translating complex technical concepts into clear business terms.

• Ensure compliance with applicable medical device regulations and cybersecurity standards throughout the software development lifecycle.

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven track record of managing teams developing complex software systems.

• Proficiency with modern C++ and embedded Python programming languages

• Experience in developing for embedded Linux (e.g. Yocto)

• Strong understanding of network connectivity protocols, best practices in API designs and system integration.

• Hands-on experience with cloud service (e.g. AWS, GCP, Azure) supporting connected embedded devices.

• Experience with medical device cybersecurity practices (e.g., threat modeling, secure communications, vulnerability management) consistent with FDA premarket cybersecurity guidance.

• Experience working in an agile development environment.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.

• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.

• Comfort with presenting to large or small groups.

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Experience with medical device software development life cycle (e.g., IEC 62304): comfortable with concepts such as design input, design output, traceability, and risk analysis.

• Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle (design, implementation, debug, verification, validation, and transfer to manufacturing/service).

• Experience with designing software products in an FDA or other regulated industry or for mission critical applications.

• Experience with MQTT or other event-driven/pub-sub messaging protocols for IoT telemetry at fleet scale.

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.

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.