Software Engineer – Surgical Robot Manufacturing

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

You’ll play a key role on the Multiport Test Engineering team to enable the manufacturing of a new generation of surgical robots. You will develop automated, mechatronic-centric manufacturing test and diagnostic software that assures the calibration, performance, and safety of robot subsystems. The position will require close collaboration with product development teams, systems analysts, electrical test fixture engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers to build a comprehensive test strategy and deliver automated manufacturing test software. 

You may qualify for a Senior Software Engineer level with sufficient experience. 

Essential Job Duties

• Take ownership of manufacturing test fixtures, software, and test system quality
• Develop a deep technical understanding of product operation, control and testing algorithms
• Design, document, and qualify test systems and software for use in manufacturing new robot subsystems
• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with moderate guidance
• Troubleshoot production line issues
• Improve the manufacturing test capability through new technology, software and analytics

Required Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of professional experience in hardware-oriented software development (or 0+ years with a Master’s Degree)
• Experience developing or testing robotic or electro-mechanical systems, including control systems and mechatronics
• Experience with design and development of Windows PC or Web user interfaces
• Proficient in object-oriented Python
• Demonstrated technical leadership
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Drives projects to completion
• Strong problem solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Intellectually curious and passionate
• High emotional intelligence and solid people skills

Qualifications

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related program

Working Conditions

• None

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Web technologies such as HTML, Javascript, RESTful APIs, JSON, Sockets
• Familiarity with Matlab, SQL database, Linux-based Operating Systems
• Automated product or software testing
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or regulated engineering environment
• Experience working in a product manufacturing environment

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: e1c43d2f-bb24-4ac5-a84a-e67d97407d3e

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-17T00:35:00