Mechanical Engineer, Endoscope Tip and Vision

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  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.

Were 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.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive’s advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery.

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 design the endoscope 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 New Product Development team, the engineer will work with team members to:

Distal Tip and Vision Mechanical Design Own the mechanical design of the endoscope distal tip and camera module, including housings, optical windows, lens and image-sensor mounts, illumination (LED and/or fiber-optic) integration, and sealing features

Design miniature, high-precision machined, injection-molded / micro-molded, and MIM components; perform tolerance stack-up analysis to achieve tight optical alignment and high assembly yield

Select materials, adhesives, and joining processes (e.g., precision bonding, laser welding, soldering) compatible with biocompatibility, sterilization, and reliability requirements

Prototyping, Test, and Supplier Development Rapidly build, assemble, and test prototypes; analyze results and drive fast design iterations

Apply FEA and other modeling and simulation methods (structural, thermal, sealing) to key design elements and use results to inform design decisions Design tooling and fixtures for assembly, optical alignment, and test

Work with suppliers to take parts from quick-turn prototypes to production-intent components, driving DFM/DFA, quality, and cost Requirements, Documentation, and Design Controls Translate system and user needs into mechanical requirements and specifications; contribute to risk management activities (e.g., dFMEA)
Create detailed drawings with GD&T and document designs, test protocols, and reports under design controls (ISO 13485, FDA QMSR / 21 CFR 820)
Support design verification, clinical builds, and design transfer to manufacturing

Generate and evaluate concepts for next-generation endoscopic and vision devices

Electro-Mechanical and Thermal Integration Partner with electrical engineers to package flex / rigid-flex circuits, micro-coax cables, and connectors through the tip and shaft, managing bend radius, strain relief, and EMI shielding

Perform thermal analysis (first-principles calculations and simulation) of the tip and camera module; design heat-spreading paths and heat sinks so that image sensors, patient-contacting surfaces remain within component and IEC 60601…