Automation Engineer 3

Company Description

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:
• Work in an R&D environment designing advanced systems to enable automated
assembly of product components
• Design and deploy automated test fixtures to support the development of new products
• Develop software to integrate motion with feedback systems including machine vision
• Assist in the development of processes for automated systems
• Work on a cross-functional team to ensure hardware and software meet all requirements
• Develop and document software and hardware systems
• Develop protocols and perform formal verification and validation of hardware and
software releases

Qualifications

Skill/Job Requirements:
The candidate must have:
• BS degree (or higher) in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, Computer or Industrial
Systems Engineering, or similar field related to software, electronics, robotics or electro-
mechanical systems.
• Experience developing software to control fixtures or manufacturing equipment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience testing and troubleshooting hardware and software
• A passion for creating robust and reliable products
Prior experience in the following areas are optional but highly desirable:
• Experience with NI LabVIEW
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g. Python, JavaScript, etc.) for diagnostic and
test automation
• Experience with stepper or servo motors, and position feedback
• Experience with cameras and vision systems
• Experience in mechanical design
• Experience with fiber optics
• Experience with SolidWorks

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 employees
who 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 government’s 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 employee’s
start 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.

Client-provided location(s): Roanoke, VA

Job ID: 6419e3e3-740f-4288-b2f3-1efdd5e39cf9

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-16T19:09:15