Sr Supplier Engineer, Machining

Primary Function of Position

In this role you will move surgery forward by putting the highest quality and most innovative products in the hands of our customers to enable better surgical outcomes for patients. The ideal candidate must serve as the commodity owner for CNC machining suppliers with responsibility for developing supplier capability supporting DFM during product launches and driving improvements in cost capacity quality and risk management. This role works closely with design engineering sourcing manufacturing and suppliers to ensure manufacturable designs and scalable capable supplier processes. Medical device manufacturing experience is preferred. The Supplier Engineer must be capable of making sound decisions when faced with time constraints and ambiguous or incomplete information which is typical in a research and development environment. They will interface with suppliers and manufacturing to build high-quality parts and productize new designs.

Supplier Development & Commodity Ownership

• Own the CNC machining commodity with accountability for supplier capability performance and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute supplier development roadmaps aligned with cost capacity quality and business objectives.
• Lead supplier capability assessments and drive improvements in machining processes controls and technical maturity.
• Partner with sourcing on supplier selection onboarding dual sourcing and long-term commodity strategy.
• Drive supplier performance through scorecards development plans and regular technical reviews.

DFM & NPI / Launch / Commodity Expansion Support

• Lead early supplier involvement and DFM engagement with CNC machining suppliers during NPI and product launches.
• Work closely with design engineers to influence part design tolerances materials and machining strategies to ensure manufacturability and cost targets.
• Facilitate supplier feedback into design iterations and document DFM decisions and trade-offs.
• Support prototype pilot and production ramp phases to ensure robust scalable machining processes.
• Ensure supplier readiness for launch through process capability capacity and risk assessments.

Cost Capacity & Risk Management

• Drive supplier cost improvement initiatives including should-cost analysis value engineering and productivity enhancements.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capacity scalability and constraints; develop capacity expansion and mitigation plans.
• Identify and manage supplier-related risks (design process capacity regulatory and continuity of supply).
• Lead mitigation actions for high-risk suppliers or components in partnership with cross-functional teams.

Project Management & Execution

• Lead and manage / support supplier-related projects such as supplier transfers process changes and capacity expansions.
• Own project plans milestones timelines and deliverables to ensure on-time execution.
• Communicate status risks and recovery plans to stakeholders with data-driven recommendations.

Technical & Quality Support

• Apply manufacturing core tools to support supplier development and process maturity.
• Support supplier audits process validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) and first article inspections (FAI) as part of supplier readiness.
• Lead structured problem-solving efforts to address supplier process gaps and performance issues.

Qualifications :

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (Manufacturing Mechanical Industrial or related field) or equivalent experience.
• Minimum: 7 years of relevant industry experience in machining supplier development engineering manufacturing engineering or process engineering.
• Strong CNC machining and manufacturing experience in a production environment.
• Proficient in basic blueprint reading and knowledgeable in GD&T.
• Demonstrated experience owning a supplier commodity or managing a supplier portfolio.
• Experience supporting DFM with suppliers and design engineers.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing core and qualification process tools.
• Demonstrated project management risk management and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with design engineering sourcing quality program management and operations.
• Understanding of ISO-based quality systems (e.g. ISO 9001 ISO 13485) and their practical application at suppliers.
• Ability to apply risk-based judgment and make sound technical decisions in fast-paced ambiguous environments.
• Experience with supplier audits and regulatory preferred.
• Ability to travel to suppliers (domestic and international) as needed: minimum 25%

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.

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