Intuitive Surgical, Inc

Sr. Automation Manufacturing Engineer

Intuitive Surgical, Inc$112K — $135K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Analytical and troubleshooting skills for electro-mechanical systems.
  • Experience with PLC, motion/vision control, and mechatronics integration.
  • Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and blueprint interpretation.
  • Experience in managing product/process changes and validation.
  • Strong organizational skills for multitasking fast-paced projects.
  • Familiarity with ISO 13485/9001 medical device environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the specification creation for automation lines and manage supplier relationships.
  • Design and implement fixtures, tools, and equipment for high-volume assembly.
  • Provide ongoing production line support for emergency repairs and troubleshooting.
  • Develop validation protocols and maintain compliant documentation.
  • Analyze equipment performance and implement improvement initiatives.
  • Conduct PFMEA supporting accessories manufacturing lines.
  • Integrate mechatronics components and support programming where applicable.
  • Create controlled documentation including manufacturing plans and instructions.
  • Mentor technicians/engineers on equipment maintenance and documentation practices.
  • Conduct relevant SAP transactions and plan resources for improvements.
  • Identify continuous improvement opportunities for reliability and cost reduction.
  • Collaborate inter-site and travel as needed.

Benefits

  • Onsite role with periodic travel opportunities.
  • Opportunity to work in a medical device manufacturing environment.
  • Engagement in a dynamic and innovative team.
  • Possibility of participating in continuous improvement projects.
  • Development of leadership skills through mentoring and training roles.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Primary Function of Position

Contribute your technical manufacturing, equipment design, automation, and project management skills to a dynamic team creating high-volume automated assembly lines for precision instruments and accessories used in minimally invasive robotic surgery. The role spans evaluation, maintenance, repair, design, analysis, and continuous improvement of mechanical/electronic equipment; close collaboration with machine integrators through specification, design, build, commissioning, and validation; and ongoing production support across sites.

Essential Job Duties
  • Lead creation of automation line specifications; source, evaluate, and manage equipment suppliers and machine integrators through design, build, FAT/SAT, and shipment.
  • Design, document, procure, qualify, implement, and improve fixtures, tools, and equipment for high-volume assembly.
  • Provide daily production line support; resolve emergency/unscheduled problems and repairs to ensure equipment uptime and availability.
  • Develop and execute validation protocols (IQ/OQ/DQ/PQ and PPQ) for equipment and automated assembly lines; maintain compliant records.
  • Determine and analyze equipment performance trends; define and implement improvements to maintainability, reliability, availability, cycle time, capacity, and first-pass yield.
  • Perform and/or support PFMEA for accessories manufacturing lines; incorporate and validate critical tests used in manufacturing.
  • Provide DFx input (Manufacturing, Assembly, Automation, Reliability) to design teams; ensure consistency/commonality of hardware and standard part selections.
  • Integrate mechatronics components (sensors, motors, pneumatics), motion/vision control, and PLC-based line controls; support robot programming where applicable.
  • Create and maintain controlled documentation including BOMs, workflow processes, manufacturing plans, and detailed work instructions; review peer edits.
  • Teach, mentor, and train technicians/engineers in specialized equipment: diagnosing, repairing, maintaining, calibrating; improve installation, repair, and upkeep documentation.
  • Conduct SAP transactions relevant to process/equipment operations; plan resources and budgets for product/process improvements, tooling, and testing.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement projects for product reliability and cost reduction; proactively seek technologies to improve production processes.
  • Support inter-site collaboration (e.g., suppliers and Mexicali plant) and periodic travel.


Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience
  • Strong communication skills to interface cross-functionally with technicians, product development, planning, purchasing, regulatory, inspection, customer support, and clinical marketing.
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for complex electro-mechanical/laser/vision system equipment.
  • Experience with automated line controls (PLC, I/O components), motion/vision control, and mechatronics integration.
  • CAD proficiency (SolidWorks preferred); blueprint reading and interpretation; GD&T and tolerance stack analysis.
  • Experience managing product/process changes and executing equipment/process validation.
  • Organizational skills to manage fast-paced projects simultaneously; prior technical writing experience.
  • Experienced with ISO 13485/9001 medical device manufacturing environments.

Required Education and Training
  • BS/MS degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent.
  • 8+ years' experience as a design/manufacturing/equipment engineer supporting products with significant mechanical/electromechanical content.

Working Conditions

Onsite role with periodic travel; may require occasional weekend shift support during commissioning or urgent repairs.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Experience designing automated equipment and complex mechanisms; robotics programming exposure.
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes: machining, injection molding, transfer molding, MIM, crimping, ultrasonic/laser welding, optical testing, fiber routing.
  • Experience with high-volume automated assembly of plastic forming/joining processes.
  • Leadership experience or a background in cross-functional team coordination.
  • Spanish language proficiency; ability to travel to suppliers and other Intuitive facilities.


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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