Robotics and Control Manager

Sunnyvale, CA, United States

Not Remote

Engineering

JOB216293

Company Description

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies - like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion - have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful - because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

The Ion™ endoluminal system is Intuitive's robotic platform for minimally invasive

biopsy in the peripheral lung, with an initial goal of improving the early diagnosis of lung

cancer. The Ion Product Engineering team is responsible for the continued development

and improvement of the Ion™ platform across the full system.

The Robotics and Control Manager (System Analyst) is responsible for leading

a high-performing team responsible for the design, development, and evaluation of the

robotic control algorithms that power the Ion™ platform. The role spans mechanical,

software, electrical, and quality and regulatory domains and demands close cross-

functional collaboration to deliver best-in-class robotic systems.

The ideal candidate brings the technical depth to tackle complex analysis problems

firsthand, and the leadership to set direction, develop talent, and drive solutions across

an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

Leadership & People Management

o Lead and develop the team of Systems Analysts; assess capacity and skill

needs, provide coaching, hire, and ramp up talent as the team grows.

o Drive continuous improvement by synthesizing field and manufacturing

inputs, prioritizing long-term projects, and aligning with cross-functional

teams and leadership.

o Ensure the team adheres to design control processes (risk assessments,

design reviews, V&V, etc.) per FDA and ISO standards.

Cross-Functional & Program Management

o Own cross-functional interfaces (Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Clinical,

Regulatory) and represent the team in program reviews; communicate

status and decisions clearly across technical and leadership audiences.

o Oversee software release documentation, including regulatory

escalations, anomaly listings, and patch effectiveness tracking.

Technical Contribution

o Demonstrate sound engineering judgment and strong problem-solving

skills across software and hardware domains

o Deep expertise in control theory fundamentals and its application to

mechatronic system design, verification, and safety; guide the team

through complex design tradeoffs.

o Strong C/C++ and MATLAB programming skills; remain hands-on to

support the team in troubleshooting and problem resolution.

Required Education and Training

PhD in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Robotics; Masters-level

candidates will be considered based on relevant experience.

4+ years of experience as an individual contributor and 2+ years in a leadership

position.

Additional Information

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.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

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.

Base Compensation Range Region 1: $199,300 USD - $286,700 USD

Base Compensation Range Region 2: $169,400 USD - $243,700 USD

Shift: Day

Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.