Senior Systems Analyst (Robotic Algorithms and Controls)

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, us

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 Systems Analyst develops algorithms that ensure the safe, reliable, and effective operation of robotic‑assisted surgical systems. Responsibilities span early functional prototype development through formal product testing.

The role also provides analytical support to cross‑functional engineering teams, influencing mechanism design, software architecture, and component selection through deep physical and algorithmic insight. The goal is to deliver precise motion‑control performance and high‑level system behaviors that respond reliably to user input.

As a member of the Future Forward engineering team, you will design, implement, and integrate complex functionality into complete surgical robotic platforms, supporting them through human‑use evaluation and product release.

Success requires thriving in a focused, fast‑moving environment; driving solutions from evolving requirements; and iterating methodically while upholding rigorous quality standards that prioritize patient safety. Strong learning agility, the ability to understand system requirements from both user and engineering perspectives, and a collaborative mindset are essential. You will be supported by experienced leadership and development teams committed to your success.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, develop, and implement motion‑control and tele‑operation algorithms for next‑generation surgical robotic systems and instruments.

• Contribute to the architectural definition of the robotic control system, leveraging real‑time and event‑driven algorithms to achieve complex system behaviors.

• Participate in all phases of the Design Controls process by identifying system requirements and converting them into safe, verifiable designs.

• Lead the design, implementation and testing of safety‑critical and fault‑detection algorithms.

• Lead the electro‑mechanical and software integration of new prototypes, providing analytical and algorithmic guidance to hardware and software teams.

• Methodically refine and improve system performance throughout maturation from prototype to production, by planning and prioritizing the development on a quarterly and annual basis.

• Diligently document innovative contributions, generating and protecting intellectual property.

Qualifications

Required Education and Training

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, or similar technical field, with 5 years of experience in control systems, servo control, or robotics.

• Alternatively, a Ph.D. degree in one of the technical fields above, with 3 years of experience.

Required Skills and Experience

• Expert knowledge of robotics and motion‑control concepts, including kinematic/dynamic modeling and system identification.

• Expertise in position, force, and impedance control of robotic manipulators.

• Familiarity with control of compliant and flexible systems.

• Experience implementing, tuning, and diagnosing real-time servo‑control systems.

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for real‑time control‑algorithm development.

• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for analysis, simulation, and testing.

• Strong analytical and debugging skills for embedded software and electromechanical systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor the communication to a broad range of audiences.

• Effective cross‑functional teamwork and strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, validation, and transfer to manufacturing.

• Experience designing software products in a regulated industry or for mission critical applications; comfort with concepts of design input, design output, traceability, risk analysis, and mitigations.

• Familiarity with IEC 62304 and software life cycle processes for medical devices.

• Experience with Embedded Linux, or QNX, FreeRTOS or similar operating systems; experience with bare metal designs.

• Hands-on prototyping with rapid development tools (e.g., Arduino, STM32).

• Software development for multi-processor/multi-core systems.

• Fluent with version control tools and build systems.

• Hands-on engineering experience with proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.

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.