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.

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.

• 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

• Minimum 3 years experience in hands‑on engineering environment
• Experience assembling and testing complex mechanical assemblies
• Proficiency in CAD with strong preference for Solid Works
• 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

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

• none

• NA

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.

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.

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.

Base Salary Range Region 1: $136,100 - $195,900

Base Salary Range Region 2: $115,700 - $166,500

Shift: Day

Workplace Type: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.