Vision R&D 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 Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Mechanical Engineer to help develop the vision system for a novel robotic surgical platform.  As an early member of the team, this role is an exciting opportunity to help define the eventual product from early prototypes through clinical trials and into product launch.

Essential Job Duties

As part of the Vision System Engineering team, the engineer will work with team members to:

• Work with team to brainstorm new concepts for vision systems and related hardware
• Perform mechanical, optical, opto-mechanical, and electrical designs of prototypes
• Develop concepts for testing prototype hardware and design test hardware
• Build prototype hardware and test apparatus.  Work with technicians as necessary to support builds
• Acquire data, analyze data, and share data with team for discussion
• Optimize prototypes and test hardware based on experimental results and new ideas

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 3 years experience in hands-on engineering environment
• Experience assembling and testing complex mechanical assemblies
• Proficiency in CAD with strong preference for SolidWorks
• Experience with data acquisition and processing (e.g. Matlab or Python scripting), plotting and presenting of data
• Experience and knowledge of optics and optical systems
• Interest in physics and first-principle understanding of physical phenomena
• Proven ability to work well with others
• Good documentation skills

Required Education and Training

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

Working Conditions

• none

 

Preferred Skills and Experience

• NA

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: 27f79b4b-7393-47d4-9ab4-dcf63a148c89

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-02-10T16:40:08