Senior 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

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer reports to a Manager of Mechanical Design Engineering and is responsible for the design, development, and design transfer of complex mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for Intuitive robotic platforms. You will own key subsystems, interface directly with suppliers and manufacturing, and deliver high-quality prototypes and production designs. Success in this role requires strong ownership of design decisions, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and delivery of robust engineering solutions within a cross-functional development team.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, develop, and release mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for robotic systems, owning designs from concept through design transfer in a regulated environment.
• Design mechanisms and integrate motors, bearings, sensors, brakes, and drive systems.
• Perform mechanical engineering calculations including kinematics, stress, fatigue, tolerance, and reliability analyses to support design decisions.
• Develop design requirements, specifications, and failure-modes analyses, along with associated verification and validation activities.
• Generate CAD models, drawings, and documentation using Solid Works and PLM tools.
• Develop and iterate hardware prototypes, and partner with suppliers and manufacturing to execute design transfer.
• Collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams (Systems, Electrical, Clinical, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, and Regulatory) and present technical reviews articulating design tradeoffs and recommendations.
• Lead mechanical engineering project activities, resolve design issues during development, guide technical decisions, and mentor junior engineers.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 6 years with a Master’s, or 3 years with a PhD.
• Direct experience in the medical device industry, with working knowledge of design controls, risk management, and verification and validation.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex assemblies or subsystems through multiple phases of product development.
• Expertise in kinematics, tolerance analysis, GD&T, materials selection, DFM, and DFA.
• Experience designing electromechanical systems integrating motors, bearings, sensors, brakes, transmissions, and linkages.
• Experience designing for volume manufacturing processes such as machining, castings, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Hands-on prototyping skills including assembly, testing, debugging, and iteration, including working with machine shops for rapid fixture and part builds.
• Proficient with CAD, simulation, and PLM tools such as Solid Works, ANSYS, and Windchill.
• Experience with risk management activities including FMEA, risk mitigation, and reliability assessments.

Nice to Have:

• Effective communicator able to lead cross-functional teams, guide decision-making, and present in technical and leadership forums.
• Preferred: Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience developing Class II or Class III medical devices, particularly surgical robotics or medical device capital equipment.
• Direct application of standards and documentation frameworks such as ISO 13485, FDA QSR, IEC 60601, ISO 14971, and DHF.

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 occasionally 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, CA.

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.