Sr Data Scientist Product Performance

Primary Function of Position:

The Sr Data Scientist Product Performance leverages deep expertise in data science, machine learning, statistical modeling and analytics to enhance product telemetry and service technology across Intuitive’s portfolio. The role is responsible for building robust data pipelines, developing advanced ML/AI models, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance proactive and predictive service initiatives. The position also ensures compliance with regulatory standards and continuously drives innovation and data-driven improvements in product performance and customer experience.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Design, deploy, and maintain both supervised and unsupervised machine learning models to support proactive diagnostics, anomaly detection, classification, and time-series forecasting (e.g., part failure, inventory management).

• Leverage LLMs, NLP techniques, and regular expressions to extract, clean, and structure data from semi-structured text. Fine-tune domain-specific LLMs for tasks like entity extraction and complaint record classification, ensuring high-quality data for analysis.

• Apply time-series models (statistical, ML and sequence models) for survival analysis and predictive modeling of component and system lifecycles.

• Develop workflow automation tools that incorporate human-in-the-loop feedback cycles to improve performance and reliability. These tools will effectively blend automation with expert review, resulting in more robust and adaptable solutions.

• Expand data ingestion pipelines to integrate diverse sources such as system log data, CRM, customer complaint and field service data to automate and streamline troubleshooting and failure analysis reporting.

• Develop and manage dashboards, visualizations, and analytics to communicate key insights and model results to a range of audiences, from technical staff to senior leadership.

• Lead cross-functional investigations and stakeholder feedback loops for continuous model improvement, engaging with Services Product Management, engineering, and clinical teams.

• Collaborate with other engineering teams to uphold data governance and accelerate the integration of advanced analytics solutions into products and workflows.

• Conduct additional analysis/activities across the product/service lifecycle, as needed, to support product telemetry and service tech evolution and advancement

Skills, Experience, Education, & Training:

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) with 5+ years of experience in applied data science; an advanced degree is preferred.

• Proficiency with machine learning and statistical modeling frameworks, with hands-on experience applying models for classification, survival analysis, anomaly detection, and time-series forecasting with human-in-the-loop feedback cycles.

• Expertise in LLM techniques: prompt engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), fine-tuning, transfer learning, and other relevant strategies for NLP-driven solutions to analyze unstructured text data.

• Strong skills in distribution analysis, statistical modeling, failure analysis, and predictive maintenance analytics. Experience in reliability statistics, survival analysis, and time-to-event modeling is a plus.

• Fluent in Python, with strong SQL skills, especially in the Snowflake platform.

• Hands-on experience with dashboarding and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Apache Superset, Matplotlib).

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work cross-functionally in ambiguous, time-sensitive and high-impact environments; adept at synthesizing technical and business needs for global service and engineering teams.

• Skilled in clear communication and presenting technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

• Results-oriented with excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills, capable of independently leading initiatives and managing competing priorities in a high-tech setting.

• Demonstrated track record of data-driven decisions and critical thinking, asking questions to get to the root cause of an issue and identifying patterns in the face of ambiguity and unclear ownership

• Sense of urgency to solve customer and service issues and disseminate learning

• Organized with excellent project management skills

• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite of applications

Ability to travel 25%

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.

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 base compensation ranges are listed.