Staff Opto-Mechanical 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.

Job Description:

Surgeons need to see clearly in order heal their patients. Surgeons use the daVinci Surgical System for extended continuous duration under the intense stress of a surgical environment. Visual clarity and precise representation of the surgical field along with ease of use and optical comfort across the broad spectrum of surgeons are pillars of Intuitive’s vision products.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide opto-mechanical modeling and prototype fabrication support for the Viewer Engineering team for the da Vinci system. This position will require hands-on modeling and experimental work and compilation of data on key experiments.

Provide critical technical assistance when working with outside development partners for custom components and sub-assemblies. Our development partners should know about and share in Intuitive’s mission so they can feel the need for and understand the need for high quality and operational excellence. Strategic development of the supply chain must be a priority in order to successfully perform in job).

Skill/Job Requirements:

• Skill in the use of at least one standard mechanical CAD package such as SolidWorks

• Familiar with optical CAD packages such as Zemax or Code V and accepting models from those packages into the mechanical CAD package

• Experience in opto-mechanical design principles and applying those to the development of display systems

• Understanding of opto-mechanical tolerancing and how to apply that to display systems and 3D display systems

• Knowledge of machine tools and fabrication techniques for precision fixtures for mounting and/or adjusting optical elements

• Understanding of the principles of kinematic mounting of optics

• Experience in data acquisition methods for gathering critical empirical data on prototypes of 3D display systems

• Familiar with 3D printing technology and its use in building quick-turn prototypes

• Knowledge of standard materials and material properties of optical elements and mounting fixtures used in visible optical systems

Required Education and Training:

• Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or Optical Engineering, with 5+ years of display industry experience

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience in development of custom LCD display assemblies and the manufacturing processes associated with those displays

• Knowledge of polarization optics as applied to LCD displays

• Understand the spectral transmission, spectral emission, and color characteristics of displays and display components

• Development of free-space optical systems for capital equipment

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.