Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer
Intuitive · Sunnyvale, CA, United States · Posted Jun 29, 2026
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Primary Function of Position
Intuitive Surgical designs and manufactures highly complex mechanical systems for use in surgery. The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for developing, documenting, and validating new product designs, as well as improving existing designs to meet the needs of our customers
Essential Job Duties
Design, develop and document components and assemblies for novel robotic laparoscopic energy and non energy instruments.
Miniaturization of existing architectures based on clinical needs.
Utilize engineering fundamentals to analyze a problem, brainstorm potential solutions and conduct empirical confirmation of designs.
Create new product architectures for next generation of reusable and disposable instruments.
Conceptualize and analyze complex electro mechanical assemblies, create theoretical models, conducts empirical confirmation & performs computer assisted simulations
Design and Develop mechanical parts and assemblies, with careful consideration for mechanical design, kinematics, materials (plastics & metals) and stress analysis.
Develop testing fixtures to perform verification and validation testing of a production-level components and products.
Collaborate with supplier engineers and vendors to optimize component DFM (injection molded and machined) required for high volume manufacturing.
Create product functional and design specifications. Performs DFMEA on parts that are designed.
Working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams to define requirements for new and current designs.
Develop automated scripts to test new designs, fluent in use of tools such as Matlab, Anysys and Analyze and test product designs.
Develop Design History Files per FDA requirements, understands FDA product design DOP.
Shepherd projects through the design control process (design specification, design review, risk analysis, etc.), and support New Product Introduction personnel in initial builds (procurement, assembly, troubleshooting).
Investigate and establish root cause of both latent and emerging design, manufacturing or material defects.
Assess field reliability data to evaluate and improve existing product designs.
Provide mechanical engineering sustaining support for resolution of manufacturing and field issues.
Perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design progress.
Required Skills and Experience
Very Strong analytical aptitude with an emphasis on theoretical fundamentals
High Proficiency using software like 3D CAD to design mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred (3D design & surfacing), Matlab, Finite Element Analysis (such as Ansys/ Pro Mechanica)
Exceptional prototyping skills, quick turn around concepts into prototypes
Programming in Matlab to interface with electro-mechanical assemblies and perform data analysis
Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle, including design, debugging, verification, qualification, implementation, and transfer.
Machining & high-volume injection molding experience a plus
Comfortable in analyzing electrical assemblies and sensors
Comfortable with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debugging, verification, qualification, and transfer
Excellent communication and documentation skills
Comfortable operating machine shop equipment
Strong understanding of component selection criteria, and design for reliability and manufacturability
Process development and assembly instructions as needed for new products
Prefer medical device experience
Required Education and Training
BSME with 8 years’ experience, MSME with 6 years’ experience or PHD with 3 years’ experience (preferred)
Preferred Skills and Experience
Highly proficient in mechanical design (design of components, mechanism, linkages, , drive mechanisms and gears)
High Proficiency using software like 3D CAD to design mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred (3D design & surfacing), Matlab, Finite Element Analysis (such as Ansys/ Pro Mechanica)
Machining & high volume injection molding experience a plus
Experience with Nitinol fabrication and machining
Programming in Matlab to interface with electromechanical assemblies and perform data analysis
Comfortable in analyzing electrical assemblies and sensors, programming in PYTHON or C++ to interface and control electromechanical assemblies
Exceptional aptitude for experimental design, testing, and data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical review is a plus
Project Management experience a plus
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.
Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender ident…