Intuitive Surgical, Inc

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Intuitive Surgical, Inc$120K — $150K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-12 years of experience in mechanical design, particularly in medical devices or related fields.
  • Strong proficiency in SolidWorks 3D CAD, with advanced skills in GD&T and functional dimensioning.
  • Deep understanding of tolerance analysis, stack-up modeling, and mechanical simulation tools.
  • Hands-on experience with mechanical-optical interfaces, electronics packaging, and thermal management design.
  • Demonstrated capability in DFM/DFA principles for high-volume assembly processes.],
  • responsibilities
  • documentation,

Responsibilities

  • Lead mechanical design for optics, electronics packaging, and thermal performance components.
  • Translate requirements into detailed mechanical designs and specifications.
  • Drive design execution from concept to prototype and manufacturing transfer.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to solve design and integration challenges.
  • Build and iterate on engineering prototypes while executing detailed testing.
  • Implement DFM/DFA principles for manufacturing scalability and engage suppliers effectively.
  • Generate comprehensive engineering documentation and support regulatory compliance.

Benefits

  • Market-competitive compensation packages including incentives and equity opportunities.
  • Opportunities for continuous technical growth and mentoring.
  • Collaborative and innovative team environment that encourages best practices.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Subsystem Ownership
  • Lead the mechanical design of components, mechanisms, and subsystems supporting optics, illumination, electronics packaging, sealing, sterilization, and thermal performance.
  • Translate system and subsystem requirements into detailed mechanical designs, specifications, and drawings.
  • Drive detailed design execution from concept through prototype build, verification, and manufacturing transfer.
  • Apply precision engineering principles, tolerance-driven design, and best practices for robust mechanical integration.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Optics, Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Manufacturing, Reliability, Test, and Materials teams to resolve design tradeoffs and integration challenges.
  • Actively participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and failure analysis discussions.
  • Communicate technical concepts clearly across disciplines a

Prototyping, Testing & Analysis
  • Build and iterate on proof-of-concept and engineering prototypes.
  • Perform detailed 2D/3D tolerance analysis, stack-up modeling, and basic FEA/simulation to validate design margins.
  • Develop and execute verification plans, DOEs, and durability testing to validate performance over the product lifecycle.
  • Troubleshoot design and prototype issues using data-driven root-cause analysis.


Manufacturing, DFM/DFA & Supplier Engagement
  • Drive DFM/DFA/DFS for assigned components and subsystems to enable scalable manufacturing.
  • Collaborate with suppliers on fabrication, finishing, and joining processes (precision machining, molding, casting, coatings, bonding, etc.).
  • Support supplier qualification, manufacturing ramp, and yield improvement activities.
  • Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to support design transfer, sustaining engineering, and reliability improvements.

Documentation & Compliance
  • Generate complete engineering documentation including drawings, tolerance analyses, specifications, test reports, and DHF content.
  • Support regulatory and quality-system requirements throughout development.
  • Contribute to intellectual property through invention disclosures and technical documentation.


Mentorship & Technical Growth
  • Mentor junior engineers through design execution, best practices, and technical problem solving.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and standards within the team.


Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

  • Strong experience designing precision mechanical components and assemblies for electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical systems.
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D CAD, including complex assemblies, GD&T, and functional dimensioning.
  • Solid understanding of tolerance analysis, stack-up modeling, and mechanical simulation tools.
  • Experience applying DFM/DFA principles for complex or high-volume assemblies.
  • Hands-on understanding of mechanical-optical interfaces, electronics packaging, thermal effects, and sterilization-driven design constraints.
  • Experience designing fixtures, jigs, and basic calibration or alignment tools.

Execution & Collaboration
  • Proven ability to independently own and execute complex mechanical designs.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and comfort working in fast-paced, iterative development environments.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Ability to manage multiple technical efforts while maintaining clarity and accountability.

Education & Experience Requirements
  • BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 7-12 years of mechanical design experience in medical devices, robotics, imaging systems, or similarly demanding fields.
  • Demonstrated experience across multiple phases of the product lifecycle: concept, design, prototyping, verification, and manufacturing transfer.
  • Medical device experience preferred but not required.


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.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate's experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate's qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

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.

About Intuitive Surgical, Inc

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is an American corporation that develops, manufactures, and markets robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery, most notably with the da Vinci Surgical System. The company is part of the NASDAQ-100 and S&P 500. Intuitive Surgical has installed more than 5,000 surgical systems worldwide, and has more than 4,000 employees.
Learn more about Intuitive Surgical, Inc
Size
9,793 employees
Market Cap
$93.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+16.1%
Revenue
$4.3 billion
NASDAQ

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