Robotics & Controls Engineering Intern

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

Primary Function of Position Systems Analysts (Robotic Control Engineers) at Intuitive Surgical perform a central role in the design, development, and support of products in the daVinci Surgery product line. Systems Analysts are primarily responsible for the tele-robotic motion control algorithms, robotic manipulator control and safety algorithms for surgical robots and surgical instruments. This responsibility crosses into electrical, mechanical, software, control, user interface, and safety engineering where all the subsystems are integrated together. Systems Analysts strive to provide design input, prove out design improvements, and seek out solutions to subtle and challenging problems in system integration and motion control. Responsibilities include ensuring products are shipping to customers with the highest quality and reliability.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, develop, implement, and test key product control and safety software algorithms including calibration and diagnostics

• Analyze complex medical electro-mechanical devices and servo control systems for safety and clinical risk, anticipate potential failure modes, and provide risk mitigation strategies

Design experimentation that untangles complex dependencies and drives understanding of key relationships

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Theoretical training in and experience implementing classical and modern servo control systems.

• Possess embedded C programming capabilities as well as hardware, software, and mechanism integration skills.

• Be guided by engineering intuition for mechatronic systems and at the same time be detail oriented and able to develop and push a single solution to completion.

• Excel in a high-energy team and demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

• Work autonomously while simultaneously balancing collaboration on project planning and communication.

• Show passion for product quality and continuous improvements.

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program after the internship.

• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 10-12 week period starting May or June. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.

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Required Education and Training

• Current enrollment in a Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Robotics degree-seeking program at the Doctorate level. Masters level students would also be considered based on specific relevant experience.

Working Conditions

none

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.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay (paid at an hourly rate), benefits, and a housing allowance. 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 relevant skills and experience for this internship, degree-seeking academic program (PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, etc), year in school, and location. The hourly rate is prorated against the intern program salaries listed and total program compensation will be based on internship duration.

Client-provided location(s): Sunnyvale, CA

Job ID: fe7f561f-3fba-4bbb-81b8-e878f92a3e85

Employment Type: INTERN

Posted: 2026-01-27T18:35:14