Sr. Manufacturing Software 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.

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 engineer in this position will play a key role on the Manufacturing Software Engineering team to enable the manufacture of new surgical robotic instruments and accessories. This engineer will develop the software and algorithms that assure each instrument’s kinematic performance and safety. The position will require close collaboration with product development teams, systems analysts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers to build a coherent diagnostic strategy and develop software to implement the same.

Essential Job Duties

• Architect, design and develop software systems that control machines to streamline manufacturing process
• Builds and maintain software infrastructures that enable value extraction from the data generated
• Understand each new product’s operation and control, and develop the means to ensure their integrity in volume production
• Design, document, and qualify software for use in manufacturing new instruments and accessories
• Follow good software development practices
• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with minimum guidance
• Take ownership of manufacturing software and work with cross-functional teams to drive projects to completion
• Support existing production software

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience 

• Passionate about technologies and love programming
• Able to map, develop, and test projects from inception to launch
• Exercises judgment in selecting methods,  techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• A track record for planning, executing and delivering on projects
• Motivated to continually improve best practices
• Adaptable to dynamic requirements
• Enjoy the thrill of tackling large complex problems
• Good communication and can drive to resolution within constraints
• Excellent ability to communicate complex concepts to engineers in different functional areas
• Strong programming skill and experience (C#/python is a plus)
• Solid understand of OOA/OOD/OOP/Design Patterns
• Detail oriented team player
• Resourceful problem-solving machine
• Foster strong sense of team with peers through solicitation of feedback and constructive contribution to review sessions
• Demonstrated technical leadership

Required Education and Training 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering (Software Engineering or Computer Science preferred)
• 8+ years of software development experience (higher degree can offset years of experience)

Working Conditions

• Able to work with computers and equipment over extended periods.

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Familiarity with web technologies like Restful API, Web services, HTML, CSS, Angular JS is a plus
• Familiarity with databases (SQL, No-SQL, etc …)
• Experience developing robotic or electro-mechanical systems, including control systems
• Strong analytical, time management, interpersonal, listening and communication skills
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or regulated engineering environment
• Strong industry experience in architecture and development of scalable production quality systems
• Fully understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Familiarity with Statistical Analysis, Six Sigma, and/or Statistical Process Control are pluses

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: 29376d16-732d-45d2-b4d9-dc4c8c4089ae

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-12-11T17:30:06