Sr Supplier 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.

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.

Primary Function of Position:

The mission of Supplier Engineering is to ensure high quality and stable delivery of purchased production components from suppliers operating under robust quality systems. Each supplier engineer is responsible for ensuring suppliers meet ISI requirements for product quality, cost, and service.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Part Qualification

Support Value Engineering and Quality Improvement Part Qualification efforts

• Lead Core Product Teams in defining appropriate Part Qualification requirements
  • This includes defining testing and inspection requirements prior to system integration to maximize ISI factory efficiency

Support transfer of parts between suppliers

• Complete Production Part Qualification Process deliverables: Supplier pFMEA, Special Process Validations, FAI, and Process Capability Analysis
  • Perform product/process risk analysis and ensure mitigations are implemented and effective prior to product introduction
  • Establish sustainable process capability at supplier and critical sub-tier suppliers

Support Manufacturing Line Escalations from manufacturing teams

• Drive corrective actions through use of various Root Cause tools (8D, 5 Why, etc), determining true root cause, implementing effective and lasting corrective and preventive actions

Manufacturing Process Selection and Development

Lead manufacturing process selection

• Identify the correct process for manufacturing the part, considering process quality, long term capacity and total lifecycle cost.
• Identify where DFM is appropriate to achieve higher quality, lower costs or better supply chain capacity
• Educate internal customers and suppliers regarding supplier quality, process and operational capabilities, best value manufacturing methods and tooling for key supplier processes

Manage change

• Drive improvements to ISI requirements as necessary by proposing and managing changes to specifications and drawings through the ECO process
• Manage the planning and implementation of supplier change management projects using the Supplier Change Request process (SCR) post Design V&V
• Provide status of the readiness (quality, capacity, delivery) of the supply chain for major production process changes
• Work cross-functionally to improve supplier engineering processes

Supplier Selection and Evaluation

Support Supplier Selection

• Work with Product Design, Commodity Mangers and other stake holders to identify high capability suppliers necessary for New Products based on assessment of business need and supplier capability.
• Evaluate new supplies through informal assessments and formal assessment by supporting lead auditors in QMS evaluations

Foster Supplier Relationships

• Support audit team in addressing findings to develop suppliers’ quality and business systems in order to meet ISI’s requirements

• Manage supplier relationships to effectively partner with ISI suppliers

Skill/Job Requirements:

In order to adequately perform the responsibilities of this position the individual should possess:

• BS degree in Engineering field
• 8+ years related experience in Manufacturing, Supplier Process Engineering, Design, or related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience creating and aggregating DFM feedback
• Demonstrable knowledge in evaluating and challenging supplier technical, quality, and business capabilities
• Experience with a wide range of manufacturing processes including understanding of key input variables for quality, cost and capacity
  • Desired product experience in the following categories:
    • Machining, including 4 & 5-axis holdings, FMS and bar-fed lathes
    • Plastic Injection Molding or other plastic forming processes
    • Die casting or Thixomolding

• Proven ability to motivate suppliers and lead teams to solve difficult technical and process problems
• Knowledge of pFMEA, process validation, inspection and test techniques

• Familiarity with 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485
  • Experience in auditing suppliers to these standards is preferred
  • At a minimum, candidate should understand GDP and QMS methods
• Significant computer experience using Windows, Word, Excel, Access and ERP Information Systems, preferably SAP
• Ability to read and interpret detailed specifications and schematics and communicate technical information
• Experience in a medical device company is a preferred
• Experience with low-volume high-mix production environments is a preferred
• Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis - domestic and international

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.