Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.
As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.
Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.
Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.
Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

The Future Forward group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with a focus on the development of new instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel concept for a new application of surgical robotics from proof of concept through detailed mechanical design, validation, and market launch. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team in the early phases of product development.

The Future Forward team at Intuitive is a cross-functional team dedicated to the creation of innovative medical robotic platforms, technologies, and programs. We create transformational technologies to address the major pain points and unmet needs in our healthcare system. Our goal is to create the future of healthcare through platforms and ecosystems that empower providers and teams to deliver transformational life-enhancing care.

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will develop robotic instruments for minimally invasive applications using both data-based and hands-on approaches. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot and root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, and small-team environment.

The successful candidate will have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing, creating, and debugging innovative engineering solutions. An exceptional sense of shared responsibility and shared reward is required.

Essential Job Duties

• Work in a small, cross-functional project team to design and develop robotic surgical instruments.
• Hands-on assembly and testing of instruments to support proof of concept, design development, pre-clinical, and V&V activities.
• Generate and execute test methods to characterize designs and to establish root cause of design, manufacturing, or material defects. Critically examine test results and make design changes or recommendations to the design team.
• Work in a small, cross-functional team to define and develop technical specifications and requirements for robotic instruments.
• Provide written protocols, reports, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities.
• Documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing processes including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings.
• Observe clinical cases and participate in interviews with clinical experts to inform designs.
• Provide support for pre-clinical and clinical labs.
• Document, prepare, and review patent submissions.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• A passion for solving tough technical problems – Solid mechanical intuition and persistence to identify the root cause of a problem, solving problems using first principles.
• Ability to learn rapidly and quickly prototype creative and practical solutions from rough requirements.
• Solid aptitude for experimental design, testing, and data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical analysis.
• Ability to think at a systems level, interface between multiple design groups, and negotiate conflicting requirements.
• Highly proficient using CAD to design and document complex mechanisms and systems; SolidWorks preferred.
• Familiar with in all phases of product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and design transfer; experience with verification preferred.
• Understanding of material and component selection criteria as well as design for reliability and manufacturability best practices.
• Experience with a variety of fabrication methods for metals and plastics including MIM, plastics molding, 3D printing, extrusions, and laser cutting.
• Experiences with medical devices including FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other related external standards.
• Excellent organizational skills; Able to manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline
• Minimum 6 years designing mechanical engineering products or relevant experience

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with electromechanical design, including cable driven systems and small mechanisms, is preferred.

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 Employment 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.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

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 salary ranges are listed.

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 Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action 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.

EEO and AA Policy

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 salary ranges are listed.