Interaction Design Intern

Primary Function of Position 

Interaction Design is a key role at Intuitive Surgical with responsibilities that cut across multiple technical disciplines. We bring a human-centered design process to healthcare innovation and the development of physical and digital interfaces that are safe effective and delight our users.

As an Interaction Design Intern on the da Vinci Single-Port team you will collaborate with the User Experience Design team to craft and refine innovative user-centered experiences for your assigned project. This role will work closely with senior-level designers who will provide day-to-day mentorship and guidance. Over a 1012 week period the intern will assist with creating user flows wireframes and prototypes participate in design critiques and cross-functional collaboration and help translate research insights into design this role you will work on solving complex interactions at the intersection of hardware and software helping to create seamless experiences that connect physical devices and digital interfaces.

Essential Job Duties

• Support the design of user flows wireframes and interactive prototypes for an assigned project contributing to the development and iteration of user experience solutions under the guidance of senior designers

• Participate in design critiques reviews and cross-functional meetings incorporating feedback from design clinical human factors product and engineering partners into iterative design work

• Conduct or assist with user research and usability activities (e.g. preparing materials observing sessions synthesizing findings) and help translate insights into design improvements

• Present design work regularly throughout the internship to the design team and other stakeholders culminating in a final presentation that summarizes key contributions learnings and design outcomes

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program after the internship.

• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 10-12 week period starting May or June 2026. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.

• Coursework or project experience specifically focused on interaction design user experience design or human-computer interaction (A portfolio is required)

• Ability to create user flows wireframes and prototypes to communicate ideas

• Foundational understanding of human-centered design principles and usability best practices

• Working familiarity with a modern design and prototyping tool such as Figma

• Ability to explain design decisions and incorporate feedback during reviews and critiques

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Organized dependable and able to manage multiple tasks in a collaborative environment

• Willingness to work in surgical environments

Required Education and Training

• Current enrollment in a Product Design User Experience Design Interaction Design Human-Computer Interaction (or equivalent) degree-seeking program at the Bachelors level.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience creating all levels of fidelity prototypes and interactive flows

• Familiarity with usability testing methods and synthesizing feedback into design iterations

• Working knowledge of Figma components auto layout and prototyping features

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners (Engineering Product Research etc.) in academic or project settings

• Comfort working in ambiguous problem spaces and iterating as requirements evolve

• Strong visual design sense including layout typography color and the ability to create visually clear and effective designs

• Curiosity attention to detail and eagerness to learn

• Growth mindset and proactiveness to seek feedback

• Experience designing for 3D AR or VR environments is a plus

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.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages inclusive of base pay (paid at an hourly rate) benefits and a housing allowance. 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 relevant skills and experience for this internship degree-seeking academic program (PhD Masters Bachelors etc) year in school and location. The hourly rate is prorated against the intern program salaries listed and total program compensation will be based on internship duration.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Intern