Principal Clinical Development Engineer

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 the Position

The Principal Clinical Development Engineer (CDE) uses their in-depth knowledge of translational research, clinical/surgical environments and medical technology to drive clinical development activities supporting advanced and new product development within Intuitive. As a part of the Clinical Development Engineering (CDE) team, this role is responsible for initiating and leading the design, development, execution, and implementation of scientific/engineering research projects and working collaboratively with CDE, product teams, and clinicians to establish foundational knowledge that ultimately drives products that produce high-quality patient outcomes.

This position will primarily support Research and Development activities within the dV Cardiac business unit

Essential Job Duties

Research

• Define and drive key research projects with the goal of contributing to the development of new products or improvement of existing ones.
• With an understanding of complex product designs and component interactions, specify devices, materials selections, and design features to effectively implement new concepts and technologies
• Support product development teams by providing technical expertise during problem solving and brainstorming exercises
• Develop, drive and contribute to intellectual property filings for novel clinical applications and technologies
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and use knowledge to influence project strategy, foresee project risks and future-proof project deliverables

Development

• Apply in-depth knowledge of the operating room environment and of the da Vinci Surgical Systems to become an expert within the company on the clinical application of Intuitive’s products
• Work with key opinion leaders, subject matter experts, physicians, and other stakeholders to identify clinical goals and translate those needs for user-centric design and development of new platforms, procedures, instruments, and/or accessories
• Support clinical risk documentation, pre-clinical test strategy and execution, and regulatory submissions for new products

Leadership

• Work through difficult and unique problems. Achieve sound results within challenging constraints. Influence teams on high-impact project decision making
• Drive complex projects by supporting key decisions across multiple areas of expertise with strategic stakeholders. Make clinical decisions, set priorities and assess validity of others' approaches.
• Positively collaborate at all levels of the organization. Able to confidently provide responses when questioned on topics relevant to scope of work in ways that generate understanding and confidence.
• Strong sense of shared responsibility and shared reward /success with peers from all teams
• May supervise or mentor other team members.
• Keep Intuitive’s vision and values at the forefront of decision making
• Perform other duties as required to support the company’s overall strategy and goals

Experience and Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in medical device industry with a Bachelor’s degree, 12 years experience with a Master’s degree, or 8 years with a PhD degree; or equivalent experience
• Experience working with surgeons in an operating room environment; Fluent in surgical terminology and sound knowledge of anatomy and surgical technique
• Experience working in preclinical labs and with cadaveric or animal models; Strong ability to design and execute clinical or preclinical evaluations and translate results into development direction
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex ideas across clinical and technical audiences

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, internationally and domestic

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 employees who 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’s start 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.

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 [email protected].

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.