Senior Systems Research Engineer – Embodied AI & Robotics

As a Senior Systems Research Engineer you will join a future-forward team to explore and build embodied AI applications at the intersection of state-of-the-art AI/ML and this deeply hands-on technical role you will recommend performant architectures and iteratively develop and integrate embodied AI applications to de-risk and demonstrate technical feasibility performance and safety. Your goal is to ensure that embodied AI applications are seamlessly developed and integrated into high-quality reliable product development.

You will act as architect developer and integrator partnering cross-functionally with motion controls perception AI/ML software and hardware teams to address significant unmet needs. Success in this role requires excelling in an agile small-team environmenttransforming initial concepts into robust prototypes iterating methodically and consistently maintaining safety performance and quality with a patient-first mindset.

Roles and Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Integration: Design and optimize software interfaces between subsystems ensuring seamless integration between edge AI firmware OS hardware and cloud services. You will oversee the deployment and continuous improvement of these systems to ensure high reliability and performance.
• Robotic Control & Data Pipelines: Architect and build robust data pipelines and real-time systems for sensor fusion perception and robotic control. You will focus on optimizing AI/ML models specifically for embedded platforms to achieve low-latency execution.
• Engineering Excellence: Apply rigorous software practices including writing maintainable code modular architecture and comprehensive testing. You will document intellectual property and adapt to evolving project needs by exploring diverse frameworks before specializing in high-impact technology stacks.
• Project Ownership & Strategy: Lead complex end-to-end embodied intelligence projects making critical architectural decisions and technical trade-offs. You will define the strategic roadmap for the robotics platformfrom foundational models to real-time onboard inferencewhile serving as a core contributor to team planning and design reviews.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with motion controls perception and hardware teams during early-stage exploration to address clinical functional and safety requirements. You will work closely with the research and product development teams to integrate perception planning navigation and multimodal ML models onto edge platforms.
• Iterative Development: Refine designs by balancing technical feasibility with schedules and resource constraints. You will drive the transition from broad technical exploration to deep-dive implementation as the product matures.

Qualifications :

Skill/Job Requirements

• Masters degree or higher in Computer Science Computer Engineering or related technical field; advanced degrees preferred.
• 6 years of embedded systems software development (or equivalent experience) including R&D and innovation environments.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages (e.g. C C Python Matlab) and building real-time multi-threaded applications.
• Experience with industrial embedded operating systems (e.g. QNX Yocto) inter-process communication hardware interfaces and CUDA programming.
• Experience with machine learning models and frameworks such as PyTorch TensorFlow etc
• Expertise in developing AI/ML-based embedded solutions including training and fine-tuning foundation models and hardware acceleration techniques.
• Experience in robotics including motion control perception sensor fusion path planning and optimizing models for platforms with limited resources.
• Strong problem-solving adaptability to new technologies and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Information :

Additional Information

• Location: Sunnyvale CA (onsite).
• Travel: Up to 10% including lab and preclinical environments.
• Compensation: Competitive salary equity annual bonus and comprehensive benefits.
• Intuitive is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair-chance laws.

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