Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, MP Systems

Primary Function of Position

The Staff Mechanical Engineer reports to a Manager of Mechanical Design Engineering and plays a key role in the development stabilization and scaling of da Vinci robotic platforms. This individual applies broad experience and professional judgment to resolve complex mechanical and manufacturing challenges with a focus on new enhancement integration complex root cause investigation and solutions and product scalability. Success in this role depends on the ability to independently assess variable factors drive decisions that align with program goals and deliver high-quality innovative engineering solutions that support Intuitives mission to advance minimally invasive care.

Essential Job Duties 

• Work in or lead cross-functional project teams to design develop and verify modifications to robotic or other complex mechanisms.
• Lead mechanical design of components and subsystems for da Vinci systems with emphasis on new enhancements electromechanical integration thermal design
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods (e.g. 8D DMAIC); support CAPA activities per quality system procedures.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making aligned with program goals collaborating with Engineering Clinical Human Factors Industrial Design Manufacturing Sourcing Quality and Regulatory.
• Partner with suppliers and Supplier Engineers to assess capabilities resolve process issues and ensure parts meet design specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers in mechanical design principles structured problem-solving techniques and documentation best practices to support team development.
• Identify and implement best practices between teams and engineering departments
• Generate and maintain design control documentation.
• Deliver impactful technical presentations to staff leadership and cross-functional teams articulating trade-offs and design rationale.
• Contribute to risk management activities through structured risk analysis mitigation planning and reliability assessments using FMEA and other methods.

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 12 years of experience with a Bachelors degree 10 years with a Masters or PhD. 
• Strong foundation in mechanical design and analysis including tolerance stack-ups GD&T FEA materials selection and DFM/DFA with demonstrated ability to apply these principles to deliver robust production-ready designs.
• Proficient with CAD simulation and PLM tools such as SolidWorks ANSYS Windchill.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause investigations.
• Effective communicator with experience influencing technical and business decisions through cross-functional presentations.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring junior engineers and collaboration across various functions.
• Candidates with strong mechanical fundamentals and a genuine interest in Intuitives mission and values are encouraged to applyespecially those eager to grow within the medical device industry and thrive in a purpose-driven collaborative culture.

Required Education and Training 

• Required: Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Preferred: Masters or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

Working Conditions

• May involve extended periods of computer-based design and analysis work.
• Must be comfortable occasionally working in lab environments including prototype assembly mechanical testing and safe use of standard mechanical tools and fixtures.
• Must be able to lift and handle 25 pounds.
• Occasional travel to supplier and manufacturing sites may be required.
• This role follows a set schedule with a minimum of four days on-site per week in Sunnyvale.

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Experience in regulated industries (e.g. medical devices aerospace automotive) with working knowledge of standards and documentation frameworks such as ISO 13485 FDA QSR IEC 60601 ISO 14971 ASTM standards DHF FMEA and V&V protocols.
• Experience integrating electrical and mechanical subassemblies into complex systems (thermal structural wiring PCAs etc)
• Experience with requirements architecture interface controls in in electromechanical systems
• Experience supporting post-market performance through reliability engineering serviceability design or field failure analysis.
• Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design analysis debug verification transfer to manufacturing and sustainment.
• Strong track record of leading departmental and cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives from concept through completion 

Additional Information :

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 employeeswho 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 governments 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 employeesstart 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.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time