Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Intuitive • Sunnyvale, CA

130d • $163,800 - $277,300 • Onsite

About The Position

The Multiport Endoscope R&D group at Intuitive is a dynamic and multidisciplinary team developing next-generation 2D and 3D endoscopic vision systems that push the boundaries of human perception, surgical precision, and robotic imaging. We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to serve as a technical authority driving the mechanical architecture, precision mechanisms, and component development for advanced robotic endoscopes. This role shapes system-level mechanical strategy across product generations, defines critical cross-functional decisions, and ensures mechanical robustness from concept through verification and scaled manufacturing. Staff engineers in this group elevate technical standards, mentor engineering teams, and help chart the future of robotic imaging technologies.

Requirements

• Proven expertise designing precision mechanisms and high-tolerance assemblies for opto-mechanical or electro-mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D CAD and best practices for complex assembly definition, GD&T, and functional dimensioning.
• Strong command of 2D/3D statistical tolerance analysis, system stack-up modeling, and mechanical simulation tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading DFM/DFA/DFS initiatives for high-volume or complex assemblies.
• Hands-on understanding of mechanical–optical integration, PCB and electronics packaging, stray-light and thermal considerations, and sterilization-driven design constraints.
• Experience developing fixtures, jigs, metrology methods, and calibration process development for precision assemblies.
• Ability to influence without authority and guide teams through high-pressure design cycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including cross-functional presentation and executive-level technical communication.
• Excellent organizational skills; able to manage multiple fast-paced efforts simultaneously while maintaining clarity of goals and priorities.
• BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 12+ years of mechanical design experience, including ownership of mechanical architecture for complex products in medical, robotics, imaging, or similarly demanding fields.
• Demonstrated accomplishments across the full product lifecycle: concept → design → prototyping → verification → transfer to manufacturing → sustaining.

Nice To Haves

• Medical device experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own and define the mechanical architecture for new endoscope platforms, ensuring performance across optics, illumination, mechanics, electronics, sealing, sterilization, and thermal domains.
• Lead cross-functional teams (Optics, EE, FW, SW, Manufacturing, Reliability, Test, Materials) through critical design decisions, risk tradeoffs, and architecture reviews.
• Bring clarity to ambiguity by naturally framing complex issues, identifying key trade-offs, and driving rapid, well-reasoned decisions.
• Champion best-in-class mechanical design practices, precision engineering, tolerance-driven design, and robust system integration.
• Design novel precision mechanisms, components, and assemblies that meet demanding imaging, manufacturability, sterilization, and reliability constraints.
• Create product functional and design specifications and develop clear documentation supporting system and subsystem requirements.
• Develop fixtures, alignment tools, calibration methods, and assembly processes enabling high-accuracy optical and mechanical integration.
• Lead DOEs, verification strategies, statistical analyses, and durability assessments that validate design intent over product lifetime.
• Build and iterate on proof-of-concept and high-fidelity prototypes.
• Perform detailed 2D/3D tolerance analysis, FEA/simulation, and statistical modeling to ensure robust design margins.
• Troubleshoot component and prototype performance issues with speed, rigor, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Lead DFM/DFA/DFS for the product line and ensure scalable design transfer to Manufacturing.
• Partner closely with suppliers to develop advanced fabrication and joining methods (precision machining, molding, casting, metal injection molding, coating, optical bonding, etc.).
• Influence long-term supplier capabilities, jointly develop new materials or processes, and guide supplier qualification.
• Support transition to manufacturing, ramp-to-production, and lifecycle reliability improvements with Manufacturing, Materials, Test Engineering, and Service.
• Mentor mechanical engineers and elevate technical standards across the organization.
• Help attract and evaluate top engineering talent.
• Navigate complex technical and programmatic challenges, driving clear, timely decisions.
• Develop specification documents, mechanical drawings, tolerance analyses, Generate engineering documentation including drawings, tolerance analyses, specifications, and Design History File (DHF) content.
• Support intellectual property creation and technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality-system requirements.

Benefits

• market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior