Job DescriptionPrimary Function of the Position The
StaffClinical Development Engineer - Incubator is a key member of Intuitive's innovation incubator, reporting to the project engineering lead. In this role, you will lead the clinical development workstream for a defined opportunity, owning the design and execution of clinical de-risking activities and helping advance the program from early concept toward validated solution.
Working closely with physicians and cross-functional partners, you will translate clinical and technical insights into structured development plans, drive execution of clinical and preclinical evaluations, and ensure that key risks are identified and resolved. This role operates with a high degree of independence and accountability, with responsibility for delivering the clinical evidence and workflows needed to support program advancement and investment decisions.
Essential Job Duties- Lead the clinical development workstream for a defined opportunity, owning clinical de-risking strategy and execution
- Design and execute preclinical and early clinical evaluations to assess feasibility, usability, and performance
- Develop and refine procedural workflows, use cases, and clinical approaches for the target application
- Identify key technical and clinical risks and drive structured plans to resolve them
- Collaborate with engineering to define and iterate on product requirements, design inputs, and performance targets
- Lead clinical labs and external evaluations, ensuring rigorous execution and high-quality data generation
- Translate findings into clear development direction and actionable recommendations
- Partner with physicians to refine clinical strategy and ensure alignment between clinical intent and technical execution
- Contribute to program advancement decisions by synthesizing evidence across clinical, technical, and user dimensions
- Engage with key opinion leaders and external stakeholders to support validation and adoption readiness
QualificationsExperience and Qualifications - Typically 10+ years of experience in medical device development, translational R&D, or clinical engineering roles
- Demonstrated experience in product development or clinical evaluation environments, including designing and executing experiments and translating results into development direction
- Proven experience designing and executing clinical or preclinical evaluations and translating results into development direction
- Experience working closely with clinicians and understanding clinical workflows and procedural environments
- Ability to identify risks and drive structured problem-solving to resolution
- Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize findings into clear recommendations and next steps
- Experience collaborating across engineering, clinical, and business teams to drive program milestones and outcomes
- Experience with clinical labs, cadaveric or animal models, and early-stage evaluations
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex ideas across clinical and technical audiences
- Exposure to Biodesign or needs-based innovation methodologies preferred
Education and Training - Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field required
- Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., or equivalent) preferred
Additional InformationWorking Conditions: - Must be available to work full-time onsite in Sunnyvale, CA
- Will require travel to clinical sites, customer locations, or conferences (up to 25%)
- May involve standing or walking for extended periods during clinical observations or procedures
- Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs occasionally (e.g., for transporting prototypes or equipment)
- Ability to meet hospital credentialing and compliance requirements for clinical site access (e.g., vaccination)
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.
