Sr. Clinical Development Engineer Strategy

Primary Function of the Position 

The Clinical Development Engineer - Strategy is a key member of Intuitives early-stage innovation incubator reporting to the Associate Medical Officer - this role you will co-own the identification evaluation and early development of new clinical opportunities. Working alongside physicians and cross-functional partners you will translate clinical insights into structured hypotheses design and execute early de-risking strategies and help determine which opportunities should advance within the innovation portfolio. This role operates with a high degree of independence in a fast-paced ambiguous environment contributing directly to early-stage decision-making and portfolio prioritization.

Essential Job Duties

• Partner with physicians to identify and validate unmet clinical needs through clinical immersion research and voice-of-customer engagement

• Synthesize clinical technical and user insights into clear opportunity definitions and problem statements

• Co-develop clinical and technical hypotheses and translate them into structured development and experimental plans

• Lead the design and execution of early-stage de-risking strategies including preclinical and exploratory evaluations

• Develop and refine initial procedural concepts and workflows for new technologies

• Collaborate with engineering to define early product requirements use cases and performance targets

• Drive early prototype and concept evaluations translating findings into clear recommendations on opportunity viability

• Contribute to go/no-go decisions by synthesizing insights across clinical technical and user dimensions

• Engage with key opinion leaders and external stakeholders to inform opportunity assessment and validate insights

Qualifications :

Experience and Qualifications 

• Typically 8 years of experience in medical device development clinical engineering or early-stage innovation

• Demonstrated ability to identify and frame complex problems in ambiguous environments

• Proven experience translating insights into structured hypotheses development plans or experimental approaches

• Experience working closely with clinicians and understanding clinical workflows and procedural environments

• Ability to co-own problem spaces and drive structured problem-solving in early-stage high-ambiguity settings

• Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills with the ability to synthesize diverse inputs into clear direction and recommendations

• Experience leading or contributing to clinical de-risking activities including preclinical or early feasibility evaluations

• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering clinical and business teams to drive aligned development outcomes

• Experience with clinical labs cadaveric or animal models and early-stage evaluations 

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to concisely convey complex ideas clearly across clinical and technical audiences

• Experience in early-stage innovation incubators or R&D concept development preferred

• Exposure to Biodesign or needs-based innovation methodologies preferred

Education and Training 

• Bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a related field required

• Advanced degree (M.S. Ph.D. or equivalent) preferred

Additional Information :

Working Conditions: 

• Must be available to work full-time onsite in Sunnyvale CA

• Will require travel to clinical sites customer locations or conferences (up to 25%)

• May involve standing or walking for extended periods during clinical observations or procedures

• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs occasionally (e.g. for transporting prototypes or equipment)

• Ability to meet hospital credentialing and compliance requirements for clinical site access (e.g. vaccination)

• We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.

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.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidates experience knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidates qualifications consistent with applicable law.

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