Primary Function of Position Systems Analysts (Robotic Algorithms and Control Engineers) at Intuitive Surgical strive to create the safest and highest quality robotic systems for medical applications through rigorous and robust technical analysis. As a member of the Systems Analyst team working on the Ion Endoluminal System, Intuitive's platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the peripheral lung, you will be responsible for the robotic algorithms and controls of the integrated robot/instrument/software system. The successful candidate will have the technical depth to tackle deep analysis problems and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to drive future designs and improvements into the product

Essential Job Duties

• Apply control theory to the development and verification of teleoperated motion control of robotic systems.
• Develop, validate, and iterate on dynamic models through targeted experimentation.
• Design experimentation that untangles complex dependencies and drives understanding of key relationships.
• Bring-up distributed electro-mechanical systems via software integration and debugging.
• Design experimentation that untangles complex dependencies and drives understanding of key relationships.
• Design software algorithms to support system and instrument development, including collaboration with the design team to iterate through prototypes, analyze performance, and assess feasibility.
• Develop test infrastructure to verify and validate that algorithms perform as intended.
• Collaborate with the manufacturing team to develop automated fixtures for calibrating, testing, and aiding the assembly of capital systems and instruments.
• Design software tools and infrastructure that enable analysis and development of new algorithms.
• Document and pursue intellectual property.
• Use breadth of technical knowledge to oversee with a top-level view of the entire project. Using this perspective, act as an interface between technical specialties; Take ownership of issues that cross disciplinary boundaries and use your broad skillset to ensure the success of the project.

Required Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of classical and modern servo control systems.
• Knowledge of serial-arm robot kinematics and motion control strategies.
• Knowledge of dynamic modeling.
• C/C++ and Matlab programming skills. Knowledge of Python is a plus.
• Sound engineering judgment and technical skills in problem solving – both software and hardware.
• Experience in hardware and software integration of complex electromechanical systems.
• Demonstrate intuitive understanding of mechanical phenomena with ability to do rigorous modeling and analysis.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and work independently when necessary.

Required Education and Training

• PhD (preferred) in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Robotics. MS with 2+ years of relevant experience may also be considered.

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.

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.