Sr. Clinical Applications Engineer
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.
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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
The Sr. Clinical Applications Engineer (CAE) will serve as an individual contributor focused on developing
and delivering best-in-class training for Intuitive’s emerging robotic platforms. This role emphasizes
enabling clinical users to transition from onboarding through independent proficiency by combining deep
procedural understanding with advanced educational program design. The CAE will support training development and be an infield expert, ensuring early users have the knowledge, confidence, and support
to integrate robotic technology safely and effectively into practice
Essential Job Duties
Training Program Design & Delivery
Support development and deliver comprehensive training curricula (workshops, labs, digital
modules) tailored to physicians, staff, and internal stakeholders.
Leverage Intuitive’s education methodology and design to help support expanding in new markets
Lead efforts for training aids and model development
Adapt training methods and models to multiple learning styles and procedural experience levels.
Serve as lead faculty during live training, simulation, and case support.
Clinical & Procedural Expertise
Provide advanced clinical and technical guidance during procedures, ensuring safe and effective
system use.
Capture and synthesize training feedback from early users to refine curricula and drive adoption.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with engineering, marketing, medical affairs, and commercial teams to align training with
evolving product capabilities and workflow needs.
Contribute training insights to evidence generation and product development cycles.
Thought Leadership & Mentorship
Support CAEs and trainers, sharing product expertise and clinical education best practices.
Support train-the-trainer initiatives to scale global education efforts
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in a clinical, scientific, or engineering discipline, or completion of a physician
assistant (PA) program, or a nursing degree (BSN or higher). Equivalent allied health training will
also be considered. Advanced degrees (MS, PhD, MD, NP, etc.) are a plus but not required.
5+ years of experience in clinical training, professional education, or medical education within
medical devices, healthcare technology, or related industries.
Proven track record in executing physician training programs, including lab-based training, and
digital education.
Demonstrated ability to engage with KOLs and physician faculty, driving procedure adoption
through education.
Strong procedural knowledge in minimally invasive techniques, with the ability to translate
complex technical concepts into practical training.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with R&D, marketing, sales, and medical affairs to
align training with product development and commercialization strategies.
Exceptional presentation, facilitation, and adult learning skills; comfortable training audiences
from novice to expert.
Preferred:
Experience leading the design and implementation of global clinical or physician education
programs, including large-scale course deployment.
Demonstrated success in building and scaling innovative training models, such as simulation-
based education, mobile learning centers, or digital learning platforms.
History of engaging and developing physician faculty/KOLs to serve as trainers and advocates for
new technologies.
Recognition or awards from professional societies, industry organizations, or employers for
excellence in education, training, or program innovation.
Experience in endoscopic procedures is preferred.
Working Conditions
Must be available to work full-time and commute Sunnyvale, CA as needed.
Ability to travel globally up to 50–60%, including nights and weekends as needed; must be
located near a major airline hub.
Primary Location: Remote
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
compensation ranges are listed.
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.
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.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- FSA
- HSA
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- Company Outings
- On-Site Cafeteria
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Company Equity
- Stock Purchase Program
Professional Development
- Internship Program
- Leadership Training Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Promote From Within
- Lunch and Learns
Diversity and Inclusion
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program