Material Scientist

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.

As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.

Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.

Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function

The Material Scientist will be an integral member of the Advanced Tissue Models team, contributing to the creation and enhancement of cutting-edge anatomical simulation models. These models are crucial for training with the da Vinci Surgical System and the Ion endoluminal system. The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with surgeons, physicians, engineers, and third-party vendors to design and develop synthetic materials that can be used to faithfully replicate human anatomy and surgical procedures. This role supports the training and continuous education of surgical professionals, ensuring they receive the most realistic and effective learning experiences.

Essential Job Duties

Synthetic Materials & Product Development

• Lead the development and production of synthetic materials, specifically hydrogels, for surgical simulation models.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize the properties of synthetic materials, ensuring their compatibility with surgical systems and instruments.
• Collaborate with a team of engineers, scientists, and product developers to integrate materials into simulation models.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts to team members with varying levels of material science knowledge.
• Participate in the ideation and innovation process to enhance the realism and functionality of simulation models.
• Document research findings, processes, and methodologies in detailed technical reports.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in material science, particularly in hydrogels and biomedical applications.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure efficient and effective product development.
• Manage vendor relationships during product development and prototyping.
• Conduct testing and validation to ensure product quality and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Customer Engagement:
• Collaborate with internal and external customers, including surgeons, physicians, and the customer training department, to understand their needs and requirements.

Manufacturing Support:

• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to develop, improve, and support synthetic materials manufacturing processes, systems, and hardware.
• Assist manufacturing engineering in scaling new synthetic materials from research and development (R&D) to full-scale production.
• Participate in the transfer of knowledge and technology between R&D and manufacturing teams.
• Support the implementation of production processes and equipment in a timely and effective manner.

Cost Management:

• Identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality and performance.
• Develop and implement cost-saving initiatives, such as material sourcing optimization or process improvements.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Ph.D. in Material Science, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of industry experience or an extensive academic background in material science.
• Proven expertise in the development, production, and molding of hydrogel materials.
• Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex scientific ideas to non-experts.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a strong drive for innovation.
• Strong analytical and experimental skills with a track record of successful project outcomes.
• Biomechanical knowledge is a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from conception through execution and commercialization.
• Experience with electrocautery instruments or similar biomedical devices is advantageous.

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. 
• Willingness to work with biologic tissue.

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

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 salary ranges are listed.

Client-provided location(s): Durham, NC

Job ID: 3d5a9e5f-9ebb-4844-b82a-ef6c5b46c51d

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-08-15T00:21:10