Software Development Engineer - Equipment Control

Primary Function of Position

Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient safety as our highest priority. The Automation, Equipment and Test (AET) Team is responsible for making the robots that make the robots. We develop and maintain equipment, fixtures, and tooling that optimize and streamline the manufacturing process of instruments and accessories.

This candidate will play a key role as part of the AET team to enable the design and manufacturing of new surgical robotic systems, instruments, and accessories. This engineer will develop software and algorithms for custom semi-automated electro-mechanical systems that assure products' performance, reliability and safety. Additionally, this candidate will provide team members with technical leadership and contribute to architecture of manufacturing platform and applications. The position will require close collaboration with product development teams, systems analysts, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers to build a coherent diagnostic strategy and develop software to implement that strategy.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, develop, and implement software solutions for equipment that builds and tests medical devices such as robotic systems, instruments and accessories
• Build and maintain software infrastructures that enable value extraction from the data generated
• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity
• Understand products' operations and controls, and develop the means to ensure their integrity in volume production
• Document, direct and perform IQ/OQ/PQ and DQ validation activities on manufacturing equipment
• Develop, document and follow good software development practices
• Work independently to overcome roadblocks with minimum guidance
• Take ownership of manufacturing software and work with cross-functional teams to drive projects to completion
• Support and enhance existing production software
• Mentor less experienced engineers

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong proficiency in modern programming languages, frameworks and tools (C#/Python is a plus)
• Solid understanding of OOA/OOD/OOP/Design Patterns/SW Architecture
• Passionate about technologies and loves programming
• Ability to map, design, develop, and test software solutions from inception to launch
• Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• Experience in integrating software with hardware components such as PLCs, sensors, and robotics
• Experience in System Level Design and Software Platform design
• A track record in driving, planning, executing, and delivering projects and proactively communicating about progress, roadblocks
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies
• Motivated to continually improve best practices
• Ability to work with vague and dynamic requirements
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively (verbal and non-verbal) with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Foster strong sense of team with peers through solicitation of feedback and constructive contribution to review sessions
• Ability to technically lead and mentor a team of engineers, providing technical guidance and support, and drive team projects
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues

Required Education and Training

• Bachelor's or master's in engineering (Software Engineering or Computer Science preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of software design and development experience (higher degree can offset years of experience)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong industry experience in architecture and development of scalable, production quality software systems
• Fully understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Familiarity with data engineering, especially for industrial domain
• Experience developing robotic or electro-mechanical systems, including control systems
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or regulated engineering environment
• Knowledge of software security principles and practices is plus
• Knowledge of control systems and industrial automation protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC, Ethernet/IP) is plus