Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Primary Function of Position

The Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with a focus on the development of new instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel concept for a new application of surgical robotics from proof of concept through detailed mechanical design, prototype manufacturing, and pilot level manufacturing. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

The Future Forward team at Intuitive is a cross-functional team dedicated to the creation of the innovative medical robotic platforms, technologies, and programs. We create transformational technologies to address the major pain points and unmet needs in our healthcare system. Our goal is to create the future of healthcare through platforms and ecosystems that empower providers and teams to deliver transformational life-enhancing care.

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will develop robotic instruments for minimally invasive surgical applications using both analytical and hands-on approaches. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot and root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, and small-team environment.

The successful candidate will have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing, creating, and debugging innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required.

Essential Job Duties 

• Work in a small, cross-functional project team to design and develop robotic surgical instruments.
• Hands-on assembly and testing of instruments to support proof of concept, design development, pre-clinical, and V&V activities.
• Generate and execute test methods to characterize product prototype designs and to determine root cause of design, manufacturing, or material defects. Critically analyze test results and make design changes or recommendations to the design team.
• Generate product requirements and functional specifications that drive product safety, performance, and durability for robotic instruments, subsystems, and systems.
• Provide written protocols, reports, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities.
• Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings.
• Observe clinical cases and participate in interviews with clinical experts to inform designs.
• Provide support for pre-clinical and clinical labs.
• Document, prepare, and review patent submissions.

Required Skills and Experience

• A passion for solving tough technical problems – Strong mechanical intuition and persistence to identify the root cause of a problem, solving problems using first principles.
• Ability to learn rapidly and quickly prototype creative and practical solutions from rough requirements.
• Strong aptitude for experimental design, testing, and data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical analysis.
• Ability to think at a systems level, interface between multiple design groups, and negotiate conflicting requirements.
• Proficiency using CAD to design parts and assemblies, creating specification drawings in a PDM environment; Solidworks strongly preferred.
• Familiar with in all phases of product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and design transfer.
• Understanding of material and component selection criteria as well as design for reliability and manufacturability best practices.
• Experience with a variety of fabrication metals, plastics, MIM, plastics molding, 3D printing, extrusions, and laser cutting is a strong plus.
• Experiences with medical devices including FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other related external standards is a strong plus.
• Experience with electromechanical design, including cable driven systems and small mechanisms, is a strong plus (Robotics experience preferred).
• High autonomy and ability to work independently under limited supervision to determine and develop approach to solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills; Able to manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Required Education and Training 

• Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline
• Minimum 6 years of designing mechanical engineering products or relevant experience

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 Employment 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.

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.

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 salary ranges are listed.