Senior Robotic Algorithm and Controls Engineer

Primary Function of Position: The Advanced Product Development (APD) team is leveraging the cutting-edge technology of today to design and develop the surgical robotic systems of the future. Robotics Algorithms and Controls engineers (Systems Analysts) perform a central role in the design, development, and support of new products in the daVinci product line.

They are responsible for developing the surgical teleoperation, motion control, and safety algorithms. This responsibility crosses into electrical, mechanical, software, control, user interface, and safety engineering. Systems Analysts strive to provide early design input, prove out new designs, and seek out solutions to challenging problems.

As a Systems Analyst, you will work with a small, multidisciplinary team of talented and dedicated engineers. This role demands in-depth collaboration with cross-functional teams, utilizing technical and interpersonal skills to develop a shared understanding of new product requirements. Systems Analysts maintain awareness and interest in developing research and technologies related to medical devices and safety-critical systems and actively apply this knowledge to system design.

Roles and

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of new robotic systems through analysis and characterization.
• Analyze complex electro-mechanical devices for dynamic safety and clinical risk.
• Apply control theory to the design and verification of mechatronic and tele-robotic systems.
• Integrate prototype hardware with existing systems.
• Develop and implement motion control and safety algorithms, including documentation of risks, requirements, and test protocols.
• Develop cartesian controls for manipulator robotics to design and implement precise and efficient robotic movements.
• Participate in clinical observations and experiments to ensure that performance requirements are relevant and realistic.
• Communicate system performance to the organization.
• Support and track system performance as it evolves from design engineering to manufacturing.
• Provide analytical assistance and tool building for other engineering issues.
• Act as an interface between various technical specialties. Take ownership of issues that cross disciplinary boundaries and use a broad skillset to ensure the success of the project.
• Document and communicate intellectual property.

Skill/Job

Requirements:

• Minimum MS degree in CS, ME, EE, or similar with 4–5+ years of industrial experience or PhD with 1–3+ years of experience.
• Experience designing and implementing servo control systems.
• Possess strong embedded development skills including intimate knowledge of C and modern C++.
• Possess MATLAB and Python programming capabilities, as well as hardware and software integration skills.
• Be detail-oriented and able to develop and drive a single solution to completion.
• Comfort with concepts of design input, design output, traceability, and risk analysis.
• Hands-on engineering experience with proven ability to work well in a team environment.
• Self-motivated and proactive in engaging with interdisciplinary teams to address and solve complex problems.
• A desire to deliver a quality and innovative product that will improve millions of people’s lives!

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.