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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. 

Were 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. 

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive's advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery. 

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 Pre-clinical Lab Coordinator is a hands-on operations lead responsible for coordinating and executing pre-clinical lab activities. This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders including Clinical engineering, Product development, engineering and research teams to ensure labs are properly scheduled, staffed, equipped, and successfully delivered.

The Pre-clinical Lab Coordinator serves as the bridge between planning and execution, owning lab operations while stepping in as a hands-on operator for complex system setups, troubleshooting, and critical lab activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Lab scheduling system management

• Own and manage lab scheduling systems, request intake workflows, and tracking dashboards
• Maintains and enables cross functional visibility into lab demand, capacity, and upcoming studies
• Drive lab and specimen forecast planning activities working with cross-functional stakeholders
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts, resource gaps, resource availability (prototype/system/sub-system/animal/tissue) and operational risks working with cross-functional stakeholders
• Align with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure pre-clinical labs are fully prepared ahead of execution (staffing, equipment, materials)

2. Lab operations ownership & technician coordination

• Partner with Clinical Engineering team to ensure smooth day-to-day lab readiness and study execution
• Provide day-to-day task direction, prioritization, and coordination for lab technician(s)
• Ensure alignment of technician activities with lab priorities and execution timelines
• Ensure technician-dependent tasks (setup, reprocessing, equipment prep) are completed
• Identify process gaps and create standard work instructions as needed for lab technician(s) to streamline and standardize
• Provide real-time coordination and decision-making support to lab technician(s) during execution
• Monitor quality and completeness of technician work

3. Hands-on lab support & technical leadership

• Provide hands-on support for routine lab setup, equipment preparation, and troubleshooting; develop SOPs/playbooks for repeatability
• Support non-routine or complex lab setups in collaboration with clinical engineering partners and help develop standardized workflows
• Step in to support clinical engineering team for lab execution during critical or resource-constrained product development lab activities

4. Resource planning & management

• Proactively review upcoming lab schedules to ensure alignment of people, equipment, and materials for lab execution readiness
• Maintain visibility into technician availability, equipment readiness, and supply status
• Identify and resolve resource gaps to ensure execution readiness
• Align lab demand with available capacity and escalate constraints as needed

5. Equipment & lab readiness

• Ensure all lab equipment is available, functional, and ready for use
• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues, escalating when needed
• Coordinate maintenance and repairs with internal and external technicians and vendors as needed
• Ensure readiness of robotic systems, A/V setups and connectivity ahead of pre-clinical lab execution

6. Study coordination

• Coordinate lab readiness for onsite and offsite pre-clinical studies in partnership with clinical engineering and supporting teams
• Align stakeholders on timelines, dependencies, and requirements
• Ensure materials, equipment, and setup requirements are met
• Track readiness across all components required for successful execution

7. Training coordination

• Support planning and execution of training programs defined by Supervisor
• Coordinate training lab logistics, schedules, and participant tracking
• Manage training documentation and completion records

8. Process improvement & operational efficiency

• Identify inefficiencies in lab workflows and execution processes
• Develop and maintain standardized workflows and playbooks to improve repeatability and reduce execution variability
• Propose and implement improvements to scheduling, coordination, and execution
• Create and manage dashboards to provide visibility into lab efficiency tracking
• Support adoption of tools and systems to improve lab operations
• Improve lab utilization, readiness, and execution consistency

9. Cross-functional collaboration and communication

• Act as central coordination point across engineering, research, and operations teams
• Communicate lab status, risks, and updates clearly and proactively
• Build strong relationships with engineers, technicians, and collaborators

Skills, Experience, Education, & Training:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related field
• 2-5 years of experience in lab operations, pre-clinical research, or technical lab roles
• Strong hands-on experience with lab equipment, setup, and troubleshooting
• Experience coordinating lab workflows or supporting multiple studies
• Ability to balance execution and coordination responsibilities
• Proficient in working with computer systems and office applications including Word, Excel, Smartsheet, etc

Preferred

• Experience in medical device or pre-clinical lab environments
• Exposure to robotic or surgical systems
• Familiarity with regulated environments (e.g., IACUC, GLP-adjacent)

Key Skills

• Strong hands-on technical capability
• Operational ownership and execution mindset
• Ability to balance coordination and execution
• Problem-solving in dynamic lab environments
• Clear communication and stakeholder management
• Attention to detail and quality

Travel: up to 25% (domestic). 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.

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.