Sr. NPI Mechanical Engineer Tooling

Primary Function of the Position

Contribute your technical mechanical manufacturing and problem-solving skills to a dynamic team creating precision instruments for the daVinci SinglePort (SP) platform. This highly skilled mechanical engineer will support manufacturing lines for both mature and new products. Responsibilities include providing daily support for existing manufacturing lines continuous improvement efforts as well as developing manufacturing equipment and assembly processes for new products.

Essential Job Duties

• Sustain and improve existing manufacturing lines:
  • Provide daily engineering support for existing in-house manufacturing lines.
  • Own and drive continuous improvement of mechanical fixtures and processes to improve product quality throughput and cost. Utilize objective data and statistical analysis to inform and drive decisions.
  • Ideate prototype and implement simple robust mechanical fixtures and tooling designed to error-proof complex assembly steps take operator skill levels and manual technique out of the equation and maximize production repeatability.
  • Lead root cause investigations and drive dispositions for assembly-related defects using Product and Process FMEAs as guidance.
  • Support quality system compliance including ECO review and implementation discrepant material dispositions nonconformance evaluations and quality notifications.
  • Troubleshoot resolve and document equipment and process malfunctions in compliance with GXP and Intuitive Quality System requirements.
  • Assist in line transfer and line duplication activities.
  • Support implementation of design improvements to existing products including:
    • Provide feedback to Design Engineering on Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA)
    • Lead Design Verification and Validation (V&V) builds
    • Coordinate cut-in/implementation in production.
    • Provide manufacturing feedback for supplier change requests (SCRs).
  • Support equipment and process qualification efforts (IQOQPQ and PPQs)
• Contribute to the development of efficient manufacturing lines for New Product Introduction for medical devices for the daVinci SinglePort platform:
  • Design and implement assembly/test fixtures to increase repeatability of complex assembly operations including cable routing plastics joining (e.g. ultrasonic welding heat staking snap fit press fit) metals joining (e.g. laser welding riveting swaging crimping) and general assembly
  • Develop document and qualify (IQ/OQ/PQ/PPQ) new manufacturing and test processes using statistical tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE) Process Capability (Cpk) and Test method validation.
  • Specify and refine BOMs workflows/travelers and detailed work instructions.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. Production Design Engineering Quality Engineering Supplier Engineering Project Management) to meet project objectives including Design Verification & Validation and product launch. Examples include building prototype assemblies training operators identifying fixtures/tooling needed and conducting process validation.
  • Create and revise manufacturing-related risk documents including Process FMEAs Manufacturing Line Specifications Equipment Specifications.
• Leadership Responsibilities:
  • Leads/participates in continuous improvement initiatives focused on material cost reduction capacity enhancement and streamlining continuity of material supply.
  • Mentors and sets project tasks for Manufacturing Engineers on their specific project team and on other teams as needed to further company expertise & effectiveness.
  • Establish milestones support and success criteria for responsible projects.  Drive decisions and escalate key issues quickly maintaining stakeholder alignment.
  • Keep the organizations vision and values at the forefront of decision-making and action.

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced fixture and tooling design experience: Proven track record of designing complex mechanical fixtures and custom tooling for precision manufacturing environments.
• Integration with standard equipment: Hands-on experience developing custom tooling designed for integration into standard manufacturing equipment (e.g. presses crimpers heat stakers ultrasonic welders).
• Strong mechanical aptitude and fundamentals: Deep knowledge of mechanical design principles fabrication methods precise material selection and surface treatments to optimize tooling performance.
• Advanced CAD GD&T and Analysis: Strong 3D modeling/CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred) expert application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) Tolerance stack-up analysis and proficiency in FEA modeling.
• Foundation in design fabrication and assembly process development for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Demonstrated understanding of component manufacturing processes such as injection molding transfer molding thermoforming machining stamping and MIM.

• Technical problem-solving skills with ability to identify root cause and drive corrective action (Fishbone 8D Analysis)

• Ability to employ statistical methods (Cpk ANOVA Design of Experiments) in data analysis for process development and problem-solving.
• Effective communication skills (verbal written and presentation) and comfortable interacting with production technicians product design engineers planning buyers clinical engineers and suppliers.
• Able to travel periodically to suppliers or Intuitive manufacturing sites.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum B.S. Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline. M.S. preferred.
• 8 years with a B.S or 6 years with an M.S of experience as a process or manufacturing engineer supporting products with significant mechanical content.

Working Conditions

• Abhility to lift maneuver and troubleshoot fixtures and tools

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in mid-volume manufacturing of single-use devices or complex electro-mechanical assemblies is a plus.
• Experience in medical device design controls and manufacturing (ISO 13485) is a plus.
• Machine tool experience is a plus.

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 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 governments 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 employeesstart 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 candidates experience knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidates qualifications consistent with applicable law.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process please contact People Services at

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.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time