Cartesian Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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.

Primary Function of Position

The Advanced Product Development (APD) team leverages and advances the cutting-edge of technology to define and develop the surgical robotic systems of the future. This Managing Staff, Systems Analyst role is a senior player-coach reporting to the Vice President, Advanced Product Development in the Multiport Systems (da Vinci) business unit at Intuitive. The ideal candidate will combine deep individual technical contribution with direct people leadership of a small team of Systems Analysts who are central to the design, development, and evaluation of new products in the daVinci product line. The team is responsible for developing surgical teleoperation, motion control, and safety algorithms spanning electrical, mechanical, software, control, user interface, and safety engineering.

Essential Job Duties

• Lead and mentor a team of Systems Analysts; set technical direction, assign work, track milestones, assess performance, and actively support career development.
• Serve as technical authority for one or more major algorithmic subsystems (e.g., teleoperation, motion control, safety), drive architecture decisions, design reviews, and resolution of the hardest technical problems.
• Apply advanced control theory to the design and verification of mechatronic and tele-robotic systems; guide the team through complex design tradeoffs.
• Architect and implement Cartesian controls for manipulator robotics to enable precise and efficient robotic movements.
• Lead prototype hardware planning, bring-up, and integration with existing systems; remain hands-on in the lab alongside the team.
• Develop and oversee implementation of motion control and safety algorithms, including documentation of risks, requirements, and test protocols.
• Lead and participate in clinical observations and experiments to ensure that performance requirements are clinically relevant and achievable.
• Communicate system performance and team progress to the broader organization; represent the team in program-level reviews and cross-functional forums.
• Act as the primary interface between Systems Analysis and cross-functional teams (Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Clinical, Regulatory); take ownership of issues that cross disciplinary boundaries.
• Identify, document, and drive timely filing of intellectual property; coach the team to proactively surface and protect IP.
• Ensure the team follows FDA design history file guidelines and holds design reviews in accordance with product development procedures.
• Provide administrative leadership and control for planning, staffing, budgeting, and project/program cost tracking.
• Provide engineering resources to support Manufacturing, Testing and Service to facilitate transfer of designs.
• Support and encourage advanced innovation within the team; foster an environment that promotes creativity, risk-taking, and crisp execution.

Required Skills and Experience

• Expert-level knowledge of control theory and its application to teleoperation, motion control, and safety-critical algorithm design.
• Proven track record designing and implementing servo control systems for complex electro-mechanical or robotic platforms.
• Strong embedded development skills including deep proficiency in C and modern C++; experience with real-time control systems.
• MATLAB and Python programming capabilities, as well as hands-on hardware and software integration experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or technically mentor a small group of engineers (2+ years formal leadership experience).
• Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in the design of complex systems.
• Experience with budget management, resource planning, and project/program cost tracking.
• Comfort with design input, design output, traceability, and risk analysis in a regulated product development environment.
• Excellent communication skills - able to convey complex technical content to cross-functional partners and organizational leadership.
• Self-motivated and proactive; effective at leading through influence across disciplinary boundaries.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum MS degree in CS, ME, EE, or a closely related field with 7+ years of relevant industrial experience, or PhD with 4+ years of experience including 2+ years of people management or formal technical lead experience.

Working Conditions

Position is primarily office/lab-based (Sunnyvale, CA). Requires occasional access to prototype and lab environments with standard safety precautions. Up to 10% of travel for clinical site visits, partner meetings, or conference participation.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Medical device or safety-critical system product experience (FDA design controls, ISO 13485, ISO 14971).
• Experience with surgical robotics, haptics, or tele-presence system design.
• Familiarity with FPGA-based motor control or other embedded real-time architectures.
• Ability to support, manage, and influence cross-functional teams in the design of complex robotic systems.
• Experience developing products in a highly regulated environment with demonstrated success through FDA clearance.
• A passion for delivering quality, innovative products that will improve millions of people's lives - and inspiring a team to share that drive!

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 identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

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 employeeswho 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'sstart 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.