Senior Embedded Software Engineer Platform Software

Our team designs and builds the embedded platform software infrastructure that supports critical
performance safety and user-facing features of the da Vinci Surgical System Intuitives flagship product.
Were looking for a high energy experienced embedded software engineer to take technical ownership
across our embedded platform software stack.

In this role you will lead board bring-up initiatives drive architectural decision for our next-generation platforms and serve as a technical anchor for the team mentoring junior engineers and collaborating cross-functionally with hardware system software and FPGA teams. You will own critical subsystems supporting video networking UI display and machine learning capabilities of Da Vinci 5 while driving improvements in robustness reliability manufacturability and serviceability.

Essential Job Duties 

• Lead board bring-up activities for next generation-based platforms including bootloader configuration BSP customization peripheral driver integration and system validation taking end-to-end ownership from initial power-on through production readiness.
• Own development and drive the technical direction of embedded software for video networking UI display and machine learning applications on Linux-based systems including architectural decisions code review and performance optimization.
• Design and own comprehensive test strategies to validate board functionality peripheral interfaces and system performance metrics including defining acceptance criteria and driving resolution of complex hardware-software integration issues.
• Partner with and technically guide hardware engineers to identify root-cause and resolve board-level issues during early development phases serving as the primary software interface for cross-functional hardware bring-up
• Architect and lead the development of automated test frameworks for board validation and regression testing establishing scalable infrastructure usable across multiple platform variants.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through code reviews technical guidance and hands-on debugging support actively contributing to the growth of the team.
• Author and maintain technical documentation including design specifications bring-up procedures and failure analysis reports in compliance with FDA-regulated development processes.

Qualifications :

Required Education Skills & Experience 

• Minimum of 8 years of related experience and a Bachelors degree; or 6 years experience and a Masters degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent experience
• Expert-level proficiency in C or C for embedded systems development including memory management real-time constraints and performance-critical code
• Experience in bare-metal embedded Linux including kernel internals custom device driver development BSP bring-up and user space application development
• Proficiency with embedded development and debugging tools including GDB JTAG logic analyzers oscilloscopes and cross-compilation toolchains
• Proven hands-on experience with hardware interfaces and protocols (I2C I2S T1S SPI UART USB Ethernet CAN) including bring-up debugging and driver development for each
• Debugging and root-cause analysis skills with a track record of resolving complex multi-layer Hardware-FPGA-software integration failures in time-critical environments
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and technically develop junior and mid-level engineers
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and cross-functional team collaboration

Preferred Skills & Experience 

• Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms (TX2/Xavier/Orin or similar) or comparable ARM-based SOCs in a production embedded environment
• Hands-on experience with GPU acceleration (CUDA) and hardware-accelerated inference frameworks (TensorRT) in production embedded systems
• Experience with QNX RTOS or other real-time operating systems in safety-critical applications.
• Proficiency in Python and bash scripting for test automation bootup design and build system integration
• Demonstrated ability to root cause complex hardware-software interactions
• Demonstrated experience in and comfort with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design implementation debug verification validation and transfer to manufacturing
• Experience designing software products in an FDA or other regulated industry or for mission critical applications; comfortable with concepts of design input design output traceability risk analysis and mitigations

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.

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.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process please contact People Services at

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