Demo

Robotics Software Engineer

Intuitive
Sunnyvale, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/19/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/4/2027
Company Description

Primary Function of the Position

In this role, you will help develop a next-generation medical robotics platform. You’ll collaborate within a small, fast-paced team to iteratively design and build complex robotic prototypes. The ideal candidate is a self-driven software engineer with strong problem-solving skills and deep expertise in robotics algorithms.

Essential Job Duties

  • Quickly learn an existing software codebase to implement and adapt robotics algorithms
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with controls, mechanical, and software engineers to design, build, and iterate on exploratory prototypes
  • Design and lead experiments to methodically characterize system performance, accuracy, and reliability, and to de-risk key aspects of a novel robotic platform
  • Refine prototype software into robust, production-quality code
  • Architect clean, modular, and testable software interfaces and system designs for a distributed robotic platform
  • Contribute to the long-term software architecture and platform strategy
  • Develop and maintain formal design control documentation in compliance with medical device standards

Job Description

Required Skills and Experience

  • Strong working knowledge of C and object-oriented programming
  • Strong working knowledge of robotics algorithms, including forward kinematics
  • Great communication skills
  • High levels of independence and technical ownership
  • Full-stack mentality, with flexibility to contribute to different areas of the codebase

Required Education And Training

  • MS or PhD in computer science, mechanical engineering, or equivalent

Working Conditions

  • None

Preferred Skills And Experience

  • Four years of experience developing software applications
  • Familiarity with development in a Linux environment
  • Experience with GUI development (Qt/QML)
  • Experience with OpenGL and 3D rendering
  • Experience with state estimation and sensor fusion algorithms
  • Experience developing software for medical devices
  • Experience with design documentation, including formal requirements and testing

Qualifications

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 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.

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.

Base Salary Range Region 1:$158,300 - $227,700

Base Salary Range Region 2: $134,600 - $193,500

Shift: Day

Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.

Salary : $134,600 - $193,500

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