Staff Mechanical Design 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

Contribute your technical skills to design and develop manufacturing equipment for the Multiport Accessories Process Engineering organization, with a focus on high-volume automation. The candidate will take responsibility for equipment development from initial concept and detailed mechanical design through fabrication, testing, qualification, and release to production.

The candidate will design and develop in-house proprietary manufacturing equipment and will also evaluate external automation suppliers, define detailed equipment specifications, and provide technical oversight to OEMs. The candidate must demonstrate strong mechanical design fundamentals, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to coordinate within cross-functional teams. They must excel in a high-energy environment and be capable of making sound decisions when faced with time constraints and incomplete information.

Essential Job Duties

• Design and develop in-house manufacturing equipment, automation systems, tooling, and fixtures from concept through release to production.
• Translate manufacturing process needs into detailed equipment requirements, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop 3D models, engineering drawings, tolerance analyses, bills of material, and supporting technical documentation.
• Integrate mechanical designs with robotics, sensors, motors, pneumatics, motion control, machine vision, and safety systems.
• Evaluate and select OEMs and system integrators based on technical capabilities and project requirements.
• Develop detailed specifications for externally sourced automation equipment and provide technical oversight through design, build, testing, installation, and qualification.
• Lead equipment design reviews, risk assessments, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving activities.
• Guide equipment projects through applicable design control, engineering change, qualification, and release processes.
• Develop equipment testing strategies, acceptance criteria, qualification protocols, maintenance requirements, and calibration procedures.
• Apply Cpk, Gauge R&R, tolerance analysis, and other statistical and quality tools to improve equipment capability and reliability.
• Provide equipment-related technical support for production operations, continuous improvement, capacity expansion, and equipment lifecycle management.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, technicians, and cross-functional project team members.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience with high volume automation lines.
• Fundamental understanding of process engineering, equipment, test and the manufacturing environment “Self-starter” attitude and comfort in a hands-on environment, where he/she can demonstrate an ability to work with other engineers to influence product design to improve reliability
• Demonstrated experience designing and releasing manufacturing equipment or complex automated systems into production.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and engineering drawing development. SolidWorks experience is preferred.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, mechanism development, GD&T, tolerance analysis, material selection, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to integrate mechatronic components such as robotics, sensors, motors, pneumatics, motion control, and machine vision systems.
• Experience developing equipment requirements and detailed technical specifications for automation OEMs or system integrators.
• Experience reviewing supplier concepts, designs, drawings, component selections, and equipment acceptance plans.
• Experience with equipment qualification, process validation, and regulated quality systems.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project execution, and technical documentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative, and effective in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Required Education and Training

• BS/MS degree in Mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of relevant experience developing manufacturing equipment or automation systems.
• Direct experience in medical device manufacturing is required.
• Staff-level consideration will require additional technical depth and demonstrated leadership of complex equipment or automation projects.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in an ISO 13485 regulated medical device manufacturing environment.
• Experience designing equipment for high-volume assembly of medical devices or precision products.
• Experience managing internally designed equipment and externally sourced turnkey automation systems.
• Experience with OEM selection, technical bid evaluation, design reviews, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and production qualification.
• Familiarity with design controls, risk management, engineering change control, and equipment validation.
• Experience with Windchill and Agile product lifecycle management systems is a strong plus.
• Experience mentoring engineers or establishing equipment design standards and engineering best 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.