Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Intuitive•Sunnyvale, CA

About The Position

Intuitive Surgical’s Future Forward organization explores emerging technologies, prototypes next-generation solutions, and develops software experiences for the future of robotic-assisted surgery. The Mechanical Engineer develops, documents, and validates new product designs and improves existing designs to meet customer needs. This role focuses on complex mechanical systems for surgical use, including robotic laparoscopic energy instruments and reusable and disposable surgical instruments. The engineer develops mechanical components, assemblies, and product architectures; analyzes and tests designs; supports verification and validation; and works with multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and vendors. The role also supports design control and documentation, manufacturing introduction, and resolution of manufacturing and field issues. The position may be filled at a different job level depending on business needs and the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with 8 years of experience, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with 6 years of experience, or Ph.D. with 3 years of experience; the posting labels this education and experience combination as preferred.
Strong analytical aptitude and grounding in theoretical fundamentals.
Proficiency with 3D CAD for mechanism design; SolidWorks is preferred, including 3D design and surfacing.
Proficiency with Matlab and finite element analysis software such as Ansys or Pro/Mechanica.
Strong prototyping skills and ability to quickly turn concepts into prototypes.
Matlab programming experience interfacing with electromechanical assemblies and performing data analysis.
Experience across product development lifecycle phases, including design, debugging, verification, qualification, implementation, and transfer.
Strong communication and documentation skills.
Comfort operating machine shop equipment.
Understanding of component selection criteria and design for reliability and manufacturability.
Ability to analyze electrical assemblies and sensors.
Experience developing processes and assembly instructions as needed for new products.

Nice To Haves

Medical device experience.
Machining and high-volume injection molding experience.
Proficiency in mechanical design of components, mechanisms, linkages, drive mechanisms, and gears.
Experience with instrumentation for spine, microsurgical, or orthopedic applications.
Systems and robotic design experience.
Experience with Nitinol fabrication and machining.
Python or C++ programming to interface with and control electromechanical assemblies.
Experience with experimental design, testing, data analysis, design of experiments (DoEs), and statistical review.
Project management experience.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and document components and assemblies for novel robotic laparoscopic energy instruments.
Miniaturize existing architectures and create new architectures to meet clinical needs and expand surgical tool capabilities.
Develop architectures for next-generation reusable and disposable instruments.
Apply engineering fundamentals to analyze problems, develop solutions, and confirm designs through empirical testing and computer-assisted simulations.
Design mechanical parts and assemblies, considering kinematics, materials, and stress analysis.
Develop testing fixtures and conduct verification and validation testing of production-level components and products.
Collaborate with supplier engineers and vendors to optimize designs for manufacturing, including injection-molded and machined components.
Create product functional and design specifications and perform design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA) on designed parts.
Work with multidisciplinary teams to define requirements for new and existing designs.
Develop automated scripts to test designs and use tools such as Matlab and Ansys for analysis and testing.
Develop Design History Files in accordance with FDA requirements and support the product design process.
Guide projects through design control activities, including design specifications, design reviews, and risk analysis.
Support New Product Introduction personnel during initial builds, including procurement, assembly, and troubleshooting.
Investigate and establish root causes of design, manufacturing, or material defects.
Evaluate field reliability data and improve existing product designs.
Provide sustaining mechanical engineering support to resolve manufacturing and field issues.
Conduct technical design reviews to gather feedback on design progress.
Develop process documentation and assembly instructions for new products as needed.