Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, MP Systems

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 Staff Mechanical Engineer reports to a Manager of Mechanical Design Engineering and plays a key role in the development, stabilization, and scaling of da Vinci robotic platforms. This individual applies broad experience and professional judgment to resolve complex mechanical and manufacturing challenges, with a focus on new enhancement integration, complex root cause investigation and solutions and product scalability. Success in this role depends on the ability to independently assess variable factors, drive decisions that align with program goals, and deliver high-quality, innovative engineering solutions that support Intuitive’s mission to advance minimally invasive care.

Essential Job Duties 

• Work in or lead cross-functional project teams to design, develop and verify modifications to robotic or other complex mechanisms.
• Lead mechanical design of components and subsystems for da Vinci systems, with emphasis on new enhancements, electromechanical integration, thermal design
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 8D, DMAIC); support CAPA activities per quality system procedures.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making aligned with program goals, collaborating with Engineering, Clinical, Human Factors, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, and Regulatory.
• Partner with suppliers and Supplier Engineers to assess capabilities, resolve process issues, and ensure parts meet design specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design principles, structured problem-solving techniques, and documentation best practices to support team development.
• Identify and implement best practices between teams and engineering departments
• Generate and maintain design control documentation.
• Deliver impactful technical presentations to staff, leadership, and cross-functional teams, articulating trade-offs and design rationale.
• Contribute to risk management activities through structured risk analysis, mitigation planning, and reliability assessments using FMEA and other methods.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 12 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 10 years with a Masters or PhD. 
• Strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis, including tolerance stack-ups, GD&T, FEA, materials selection, and DFM/DFA, with demonstrated ability to apply these principles to deliver robust, production-ready designs.
• Proficient with CAD, simulation, and PLM tools such as SolidWorks, ANSYS, Windchill.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause investigations.
• Effective communicator with experience influencing technical and business decisions through cross-functional presentations.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring junior engineers and collaboration across various functions.
• Candidates with strong mechanical fundamentals and a genuine interest in Intuitive’s mission and values are encouraged to apply—especially those eager to grow within the medical device industry and thrive in a purpose-driven, collaborative culture.

Required Education and Training 

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Preferred: Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

Working Conditions

• May involve extended periods of computer-based design and analysis work.
• Must be comfortable occasionally working in lab environments, including prototype assembly, mechanical testing, and safe use of standard mechanical tools and fixtures.
• Must be able to lift and handle 25 pounds.
• Occasional travel to supplier and manufacturing sites may be required.
• This role follows a set schedule with a minimum of four days on-site per week in Sunnyvale.

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, automotive) with working knowledge of standards and documentation frameworks such as ISO 13485, FDA QSR, IEC 60601, ISO 14971, ASTM standards, DHF, FMEA, and V&V protocols.
• Experience integrating electrical and mechanical subassemblies into complex systems (thermal, structural, wiring, PCAs etc)
• Experience with requirements architecture, interface controls in, in electromechanical systems
• Experience supporting post-market performance through reliability engineering, serviceability design, or field failure analysis.
• Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, analysis, debug, verification, transfer to manufacturing, and sustainment.
• Strong track record of leading departmental and cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives from concept through completion 

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.