Staff Clinical Research Engineer

Primary Function of Position

The Staff Clinical Research Engineer will serve as a technical and clinical leader in the design and development of new product concepts, guiding programs from early concept through commercial launch. Leveraging deep clinical, scientific, and engineering expertise, this role will partner with engineers, physicians, interaction designers, human factors specialists, training teams, technical publications, and other internal and external stakeholders to shape product and procedural innovation. The Staff Clinical Research Engineer will lead clinical support for early-stage feasibility and confirmatory clinical studies, including proctoring, case observation, and synthesis of clinical insights to inform technology advancement. Responsibilities include identifying and documenting user needs, contributing to product requirements, assessing clinical risk, and providing design guidance throughout the Product Development Process (PDP). This role will also design, develop, and execute pre-clinical experimental strategies to evaluate device performance, safety, and usability, ensuring readiness for commercial launch. Working closely with regulatory, quality, clinical affairs, and finance teams, the Staff Clinical Research Engineer will contribute to defining clinical indications, shaping commercialization strategies, and driving technologies from concept to market-ready products.

Essential Job Duties

Pre-Clinical Research & Commercial Concept Development

• Provide strategic leadership in the design and development of new product concepts from early feasibility through commercial launch, leveraging deep clinical, scientific, and technical expertise.
• Conduct comprehensive research into disease states, procedural workflows, and emerging medical technologies to establish subject-matter expertise and guide innovation strategy.
• Partner with marketing, clinical, and physician stakeholders to define market needs and translate them into user-centric platform, procedure, instrument, and accessory designs.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and clinicians to establish and validate clinical performance objectives, safety considerations, and usability targets for early-phase technologies.
• Architect and execute clinical de-risking strategies—including pre-clinical and feasibility studies—to accelerate technology readiness and ensure robust clinical adoption potential.
• Lead structured design iteration cycles, incorporating internal evaluations and targeted feedback from key opinion leaders (KOLs) to refine concepts and mitigate risk.
• Define and implement pre-clinical evaluation protocols to support regulatory submissions and first-in-human trials.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in the creation of user manuals, training programs, and procedural documentation.
• Support regulatory teams in preparing submission-ready technical and clinical documentation.
• Apply a data-driven, analytical approach to identify opportunities for product enhancement and portfolio expansion.

Clinical Research & Innovation

• Lead the planning and execution of early-stage feasibility, pilot, and pivotal clinical trials to inform technology development, regulatory strategy, and reimbursement pathways.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize product enhancements and new product opportunities based on clinical needs, market trends, and physician feedback.
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize clinical insights from case observations and study data to refine product requirements, inform training programs, and proactively address clinical risks.
• Direct prototype evaluations in clinical environments, translating complex user feedback into actionable engineering requirements to accelerate development timelines.
• Drive the generation of intellectual property by conceptualizing novel clinical applications and technology innovations.

Other Responsibilities

• Champion the organization’s vision, values, and strategic priorities in all decision-making and cross-functional interactions.
• Take ownership of high-priority, cross-disciplinary initiatives beyond core responsibilities to advance the company’s strategic objectives.

Required Skills and Experience

• Fluent in medical and procedural terminology with strong applied knowledge of human anatomy.
• Expertise in complex robotic systems, instrumentation, and associated software algorithms.
• Extensive experience in operating room or interventional suite environments, including direct collaboration with physicians and clinical staff.
• Demonstrated ability to capture, interpret, and integrate clinical feedback into product design and risk management processes.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with exceptional spatial reasoning and understanding of complex mechanical systems.
• Advanced analytical skills to design, execute, and interpret clinical and pre-clinical studies, drawing actionable conclusions.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, influence decision-making, and resolve critical issues with urgency and precision.
• Deep familiarity with FDA and MDR Design Control processes, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional communication skills—verbal, written, and presentation—tailored to diverse technical and executive audiences.
• Self-directed leader who thrives in dynamic environments, operates effectively under pressure, and maintains a high level of accountability.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum of a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline; advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) strongly preferred.
• 10–12+ years of progressive experience in clinical engineering, product development, and/or translational research within the medical device industry, including significant exposure to complex capital equipment, robotic systems, or advanced minimally invasive technologies.
• Demonstrated track record of leading cross-functional programs from early concept through regulatory clearance and commercial launch, with deep experience in both pre-clinical and clinical phases.
• Proven ability to integrate clinical, technical, and market insights into product requirements, risk assessments, and development strategies, driving innovation while ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards.

Working Conditions

• Must be available to work full-time and commute/relocate to Sunnyvale, CA.
• Up to 30% travel. Some international travel will be required.
• Primary Location: Sunnyvale, CA.

Preferred Skills and Experience  

• Experience with on-site clinical trial support a plus.
• Experience with commerical product launch a plus.
• Familiar with intellectual property development and patent assessment

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.

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.