Managing Staff Instruments & Accessories

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

Description of Position:

The Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Managing Staff, Instruments and Accessories with a focus on the mechanical design of novel instruments and accessories for a new application of surgical robotics. The Managing Staff, Instruments and Accessories will be responsible for leading a team of engineers through the design of the new instruments and accessories for a new platform. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient outcomes as our highest priority. The Managing Staff, Instruments and Accessories will develop mechanical systems for minimally invasive surgical applications while also be responsible for interfacing with other aspects of the new platform. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot to root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, small-team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing, creating, innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This technical management role will build and guide an R&D engineering team, while working alongside them.  The role will be responsible for the design and development of instruments and accessories for a new application of surgical robotics from proof of concept through detailed mechanical design, prototype manufacturing, full-scale manufacturing, clinical use and product launch. The team shall work closely with clinicians and electrical, software, controls, and other engineering teams to collaboratively develop these novel designs.

• Lead and influence cross-functional project teams in the design and development of new complex robotic surgical system instruments and accessories
• Lead the technical effort and be responsible for the mechanical design, development and integration of the new instruments and accessories into a new robotic surgical system platform.
• Lead, evaluate, plan, and manage I&A projects for a new robotic surgical system platform within agreed upon timelines and costs
• Navigate complex technical and programmatic situations by driving timely decision making and setting appropriate priorities to focus the team for successfully delivering to plan
• Direct the development of new technical product concepts from initial design to market release
• Work cross functionally to support the definition and validation of the instrument and accessories requirements
• Establish group objectives and individual work goals consistent with overall product development goals and timelines
• Use and champion best practices for mechanical engineering design while managing, coaching, and mentoring other engineers
• Provide administrative leadership and demonstrate best practices for planning, staffing, budgeting, and project/program cost tracking
• Create risk mitigation strategies that identify, prioritize and triage technical risk for new product and program development
• Create development timelines and outline key milestones for program advancement that account for risk mitigation strategies
• Communicate technical progress, health of development activities, program risks/mitigations and key milestones to senior leadership and executive team
• Manage feasibility studies of the designs to determine if capable of functioning as intended
• Prepare reports and presentations to communicate technical assessments and analysis results
• Generate technical reports for submission to regulatory agencies
• Create, document and communicate intellectual property
• Coach, develop, and manage the engineering team through influential leadership, balancing the development objectives of the team with the needs of the organization

Qualifications

Skills/Job Requirements:

• BS or MS in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Typical minimum of 7 years of direct experience managing / mentoring engineers with proven ability to work well in a team environment
• Typical minimum 10 years of relevant experience designing complex commercial mechanical products, or relevant graduate education (Robotics and Medical Device engineering experience preferred)
• Experience designing and developing instruments or accessories for clinical/surgical applications preferred
• Must possess a clear mastery of analytical, theoretical and practical fundamentals and be well versed in experimental engineering techniques
• Passionate about creating robust/reliable products and possess an excitement to learn and problem solve
• Experience with CAD and simulation tools that support design excellence is required
• Familiar with design control and quality systems
• Experience working in regulated environment with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601 and other related external standards
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-functional research and development teams
• Proficient in all phases of medical device product development lifecycle including design verification, design validation, and design transfer
• Familiar with Product Lifecycle Management documentation control systems
• Able to independently assess complex problems and situations to move projects forward
• Able to coordinate activities within organizations to drive deliverables
• Strong project management, planning, budgeting, and change management skills
• Excellent interpersonal/team effectiveness and communication skills (written, verbal, documentation, & presentation) required
• Excellent organizational skills; Able to manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously
• Strong business acumen with entrepreneurial experience a plus
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

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): Sunnyvale, CA

Job ID: 446f4522-b941-4654-a3bb-4ee51b5dc21b

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-15T15:31:35