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Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our ... As a Senior System Test Engineer within the Multiport System & Release team, you will be ...

SENIOR SYSTEM TEST ENGINEER

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$122K - $167K/yr

... Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our ... As a Senior System Test Engineer within the Multiport System & Release team, you will be ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$122K - $162K/yr

Primary Function of the Position Intuitive Surgical (ISI) has established a preeminent position in ... Partner with product development teams and NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Test Labs) to achieve ...

... Intuitive . As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care , our ... As a User Interaction Test Engineer on the Multiport System & Release team, you will be responsible ...

... Intuitive . As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care , our ... As a User Interaction Test Engineer on the Multiport System & Release team, you will be responsible ...

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

... Intuitive . As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care , our ... Essential Job Duties As a Software Engineer in Test in the intuitive team, you will be responsible ...

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

Essential Job Duties As a Senior Software Engineer in Test in the intuitive team, you will be ... Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be ...

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Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer information

See salary details

$11K

$109.6K

$183.5K

How much do intuitive surgical test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for intuitive surgical test engineer in the United States is $109,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer vs Medical Device Quality Assurance Engineer?

AspectIntuitive Surgical Test EngineerMedical Device Quality Assurance Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Quality or related field; knowledge of testing methodsBachelor's in Engineering, Quality, or Life Sciences; familiarity with regulations
Work EnvironmentManufacturing and R&D settings focused on surgical devicesQuality assurance labs, manufacturing, and compliance departments
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in medical device companies like Intuitive SurgicalAcross various medical device manufacturers and healthcare companies

The Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer focuses on developing and executing tests for surgical robotic systems, ensuring functionality and safety. In contrast, the Medical Device Quality Assurance Engineer oversees compliance with regulations and quality standards across the product lifecycle. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments but differ in their primary focus—testing versus quality compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by Intuitive Surgical Test Engineers when validating complex robotic systems?

Intuitive Surgical Test Engineers frequently encounter challenges related to the complexity and integration of robotic surgical systems, including troubleshooting unexpected hardware-software interactions and ensuring compliance with rigorous regulatory standards. They often work closely with multidisciplinary teams—such as mechanical, electrical, and software engineers—to design test protocols, analyze failures, and iterate on solutions quickly. Adapting to evolving project requirements and maintaining thorough documentation for FDA and other regulatory submissions are also critical aspects of the role. This environment fosters strong problem-solving skills and offers opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.

What does an Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer do?

An Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and executing tests to ensure the safety, functionality, and reliability of surgical robotics systems, such as the da Vinci Surgical System. They work closely with design, software, and manufacturing teams to create test plans, troubleshoot issues, and validate product performance against regulatory standards. Their work is crucial for making sure that complex medical devices operate safely and effectively before reaching healthcare professionals and patients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, test method development, and experience with medical device standards, typically supported by a degree in electrical, mechanical, or biomedical engineering. Familiarity with test automation tools, data acquisition systems, and regulatory compliance software such as LabVIEW or MATLAB is often required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and clear communication skills are essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams and documenting results. These skills ensure the reliability and safety of surgical products, which is critical for meeting stringent industry regulations and supporting patient outcomes.
Infographic showing various Intuitive Surgical Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,565 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

SENIOR SYSTEM TEST ENGINEER

Intuitive Surgical

Sunnyvale, CA

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Intuitive Surgical rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

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

Job Description

Quality Counts at Intuitive. As a Senior System Test Engineer within the Multiport System & Release team, you will be responsible for all aspects of system level software verification test activities to ensure the high quality of the robotic surgical products. You will closely collaborate with cross-functional teams, including but not limited to product interaction design, software development, systems analysts, human factors, clinical, quality and regulatory teams. You will understand the system from both a technical perspective and the user’s viewpoint, and drive definition and development of robust test strategy and comprehensive test design. The successful candidate must excel in a focused, high-energy team environment with accountability and ownership.

Essential Job Duties:

  • Partner closely with user interaction designers, system analysts, and developers to ensure testable requirements. Identify edge use cases which are not defined in requirements
  • Participate in design reviews and provide verification‑centric input
  • Design and implement comprehensive, robust manual and automated test strategies for functional, integration, regression, coexistence, and user journey focused E2E testing
  • Design, develop and execute test protocols for end-to-end user interaction features
  • Champion continuous improvement by optimizing verification workflows, automation test coverage, and test metrics to increase efficiency and overall software reliability
  • Log and manage issues in the issue tracking system, work with development and cross-functional teams to debug
Qualifications

Qualifications:

  • Experience developing test scripts in Python for functional testing of user interface features.
  • Strong experience in troubleshooting, triaging and providing detailed debug information for expediting issue resolution.
  • Experience developing detailed test plans, assessing risks, filing detailed bug reports, and providing relevant data for test reporting.
  • Ability to drive cross-functional communications, understanding dependencies while also ensuring a tight timeline can be maintained.
  • Proactive self-starter with a keen eye for details with focus on end-user experiences and ability to go above and beyond to ensure a high-quality release.
  • Continuously learning and advancing skills across multiple areas.
  • Excellent knowledge of product / software development lifecycle, testing methodologies, and testing tools.
  • Experienced in testing complex systems with multiple software and hardware components, preferably including FDA-regulated products.
  • BA/BS in Computer Science/ Biomedical / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering and/or relevant professional experience.
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.

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 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 Salary Range Region 1:$162,400 - $233,600
Base Salary Range Region 2: $138,000 - $198,600
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Onsite - This job is fully onsite.