Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Finance) 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 Senior Mechanical Design Engineer reports to a Manager of Mechanical Design Engineering and is responsible for the design, development, and design transfer of complex mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for Intuitive robotic platforms. You will own key subsystems, interface directly with suppliers and manufacturing, and deliver high-quality prototypes and production designs. Success in this role requires strong ownership of design decisions, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and delivery of robust engineering solutions within a cross-functional development team.

• Design, develop, and release mechanical and electromechanical subsystems for robotic systems, owning designs from concept through design transfer in a regulated environment.
• Design mechanisms and integrate motors, bearings, sensors, brakes, and drive systems.
• Perform mechanical engineering calculations including kinematics, stress, fatigue, tolerance, and reliability analyses to support design decisions.
• Develop design requirements, specifications, and failure-modes analyses, along with associated verification and validation activities.
• Generate CAD models, drawings, and documentation using Solid Works and PLM tools.
• Develop and iterate hardware prototypes, and partner with suppliers and manufacturing to execute design transfer.
• Collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams (Systems, Electrical, Clinical, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Quality, and Regulatory) and present technical reviews articulating design tradeoffs and recommendations.
• Lead mechanical engineering project activities, resolve design issues during development, guide technical decisions, and mentor junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's, or 3 years with a PhD.
• Direct experience in the medical device industry, with working knowledge of design controls, risk management, and verification and validation.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex assemblies or subsystems through multiple phases of product development.
• Expertise in kinematics, tolerance analysis, GD&T, materials selection, DFM, and DFA.
• Experience designing electromechanical systems integrating motors, bearings, sensors, brakes, transmissions, and linkages.
• Experience designing for volume manufacturing processes such as machining, castings, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Hands-on prototyping skills including assembly, testing, debugging, and iteration, including working with machine shops for rapid fixture and part builds.
• Proficient with CAD, simulation, and PLM tools such as Solid Works, ANSYS, and Windchill.
• Experience with risk management activities including FMEA, risk mitigation, and reliability assessments.

• Effective communicator able to lead cross-functional teams, guide decision-making, and present in technical and leadership forums.
• Preferred:
  Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience developing Class II or Class III medical devices, particularly surgical robotics or medical device capital equipment.
• Direct application of standards and documentation frameworks such as ISO 13485, FDA QSR, IEC 60601, ISO 14971, and DHF.

• May involve extended periods of computer-based design and analysis work.
• Must be comfortable occasionally working in lab environments, including prototype assembly, mechanical testing, and safe use of standard mechanical tools and fixtures.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and handle 25 pounds.
• Occasional travel to supplier and manufacturing sites may be required.
• This role follows a set schedule with a minimum of four days on-site per week in Sunnyvale, CA.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may…