Staff Systems Analyst Research- Robotic Algorithms & Controls

Primary Function of Position

We seek a Staff Systems Analyst to join the Future Forward Research group at Intuitive Surgical. Our group explores new, promising technologies for future products and applications in the emerging computer—and robot-assisted medical interventions field.

A Staff Systems Analyst is responsible for the detailed design and implementation of telerobotic control algorithms and safety systems for new surgical robots and telepresence applications. This responsibility includes integrating and evaluating fully functional prototypes and translating concepts into finished products.

This position provides analytic assistance to other engineering groups to help design systems, software architectures, and interfaces. It maintains awareness and interest in developing research and technologies related to secure telerobotic and safety-critical systems and effectively applies this knowledge to system design.

Essential Job Duties

This position is responsible for all software, tele-op algorithm development aspects, associated tooling, and infrastructure to explore and build an ultra-low latency telerobotic system.

• Design, develop, and validate tele-op algorithms through research and characterization of prototypes.
• Be adept in teleoperation robotic algorithms that use novel methods to compensate for varying network delays and quality of service
• Drive the development and integration of new prototypes to explore and create robust, fail-safe surgical systems.
• Conduct safety and stability analysis, systematically identify issues, and develop efficient solutions to resolve them.
• Support and track system performance as it evolves from design to field evaluations.
• Cross-functional requirements discussions, ranging from customer-facing clinical needs to safety requirements.
• Translating early requirements into prototype implementations to evaluate and assess a novel and sophisticated robotic system.
• Apply good software engineering practices to write elegant, maintainable, reusable code.
• Identify, document, and communicate intellectual property.
• Create documentation for the developed features and techniques that were tried, rejected, or implemented.

Required Skills and Experience

• Thorough theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in robot manipulator kinematics, classical and modern control systems, tele-op control systems, and algorithms.
• Proven track record of designing and developing tele-op algorithms, real-time embedded software systems, and software integration.
• Proficient in Matlab and C/C++ is a must, and experience in other high-level programming languages, e.g., Python and JavaScript, is a plus
• Self-driven with the ability to excel in a high-energy, small, focused team environment, maintain a steady sense of shared responsibility and reward, and make work fun and interesting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of tele-op systems, software, and interfaces to build a highly reliable and mission-critical system subjected to varying network conditions.
• Experience with publish/subscribe architectures, REST interfaces, and inter-process communications.
• Proficiency in profiling and debugging system software to optimize performance.
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to collaborative team success.
• Exceptional programming skills with a deep understanding of software engineering methods.
• Disciplined approach to debugging with a persistent attitude towards solving problems.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum Master’s degree or above in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a similar technical field. Advanced degrees preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience developing and supporting embedded systems (or 5 years with a PhD).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with industrial embedded OS (e.g., Yocto, QNX) and real-time network applications.
• Experience in all phases of the product development lifecycle, including design, implementation, debugging, risk analysis, mitigations, verification, and validation.
• Experience building digital applications interfacing with the latest AI/ML models.
• Experience with medical device software development life cycle is a plus
• Experience designing software products in a regulated industry or for mission-critical applications

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.

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.

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.