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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…

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