Manager, Mechanical Engineering, Instruments & Accessories

Manager, Mechanical Engineering, Instruments & Accessories

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 Manager of Mechanical Engineering for Instruments and Accessories leads a small to medium-sized group of mechanical design engineers in the development of instrument and accessory products for use on the da Vinci system. The Manager is responsible for guiding their team through all phases of the product lifecycle, from early feasibility through development, launch, and post-market improvements. The Manager contributes to cross-functional project teams and ensures efficient operation and development of their direct reports, aligning group objectives with business needs and project goals.

Essential Job Duties

• Collaborate with other key functions to create product roadmaps and project plans that address customer and business needs.
• Work with Product Management, Clinical Engineering, and Human Factors Engineering to develop in-depth knowledge of customer requirements as they relate to da Vinci surgical instruments and accessories.
• Translate customer needs and business strategies into product proposals and project plans in collaboration with senior management and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Lead a team of direct reports and participate in cross-functional project teams through all stages of product development to deliver high-quality products on schedule.
• Utilize and teach Intuitive's product development processes, ensuring proper application within the team.
• Guide the creation of design requirements and solutions, including concept design, detailed design, prototyping, testing, and refinement.
• Motivate, train, and oversee direct reports to ensure quality and quantity of output.
• Coordinate team activities with other groups, interfacing with functions such as product management, business development, regulatory, clinical engineering, human factors, industrial design, and process & supplier engineering.
• Lead the team through ambiguity, challenges, and setbacks, distilling complex information and setting objectives for project success.
• Develop project staffing plans, schedules, budgets, and goals for the direct team.
• Ensure appropriate project documentation in accordance with Intuitive's Quality Management System, including design requirements, design outputs, FMEAs, design verification, and design reviews.
• Support the creation and protection of intellectual property.
• Facilitate successful design transfer through engagement with downstream functions, including manufacturing engineering and supplier engineering.
• Build and maintain a capable direct team by recruiting, developing, and retaining talented individuals.
• Assign tasks, set priorities, and establish metrics to track progress toward group and individual goals.
• Manage drafters, technicians, and other support personnel as required.
• Assess employee performance, providing regular coaching & feedback, and addressing performance issues promptly.
• Support staff career development through thoughtful assignments and training opportunities.
• Manage lab equipment and resources to support effective team operations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Selfless leader who inspires trust and commitment within the team through integrity, passion, and professional excellence.
• At least 8 years of experience designing mechanical products or relevant R&D experience.
• At least 1-3 years of experience as a people manager or leading teams through project management or team leadership efforts.
• Experience in medical device product development or similar highly regulated environment.
• Hands-on engineering manager with a proven ability to work well in a collaborative team environment.
• Familiarity with all phases of the product development lifecycle, including design, implementation, debug, verification, qualification, and transfer.
• Strong design and analysis skills, and knowledge of CAD and analysis tools.
• Professional communication skills; able to present effectively to leaders and cross-functional groups.
• Project management, planning, and change-management skills.
• Ability to lead and influence direct reports and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• People management abilities to ensure team success through staffing, productivity, and development.

Required Education and Training

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field required.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience taking one or more commercial products through the full design, development, and launch cycle.
• Knowledge and experience working on surgical instruments or similar products (e.g., catheters, implants).
• Experience with robotic systems, including sensors, motors, and drive trains, is a plus.