Staff Systems Analyst – Robotic Algorithms and Control

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

We seek a Staff Systems Analyst to join the Future Forward Research group at Intuitive Surgical. Our group explores new, promising technologies for future products and applications in the emerging computer—and robot-assisted medical interventions field.

A Senior Systems Analyst is responsible for the detailed design and implementation of controllers and algorithms to assess novel instrument concepts and visualization schemes running on Intuitive’s latest surgical robots or new platforms. This responsibility includes integrating and evaluating fully functional prototypes then promoting translation of concepts into finished products.

This position provides analytic assistance to other engineering groups to help design systems, software architectures, and interfaces. It maintains awareness and interest in developing research and technologies related to secure telerobotic and safety-critical systems and actively applies this knowledge to system design.

Essential Job Duties

This position is responsible for system software, algorithm development aspects, associated tooling, and infrastructure to explore and build new surgical platforms.

• Develop and validate distributed electro-mechanical systems and dynamic models through targeted experimentation.
• Design and implement software algorithms, tools, and infrastructure for new products.
• Integrate mechanical, hardware, and software components for new product development.
• Apply control system design methods to prototype and validate novel medical robotic systems.
• Conduct comprehensive testing, safety analysis, and performance monitoring throughout the development lifecycle.
• Lead early systems engineering development, requirement translation, and cross-functional discussions.
• Develop sensor and control schemes to enhance robotic system performance and address user needs.
• Apply best practices in software engineering and create thorough documentation.
• Identify, document, and communicate intellectual property generated during development.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of robot manipulator kinematics, classical and modern control systems, teleoperation, and related algorithms.
• A proven record of integrating and characterizing complete mechatronic systems. Knowledge of electrical and mechanical design principles and CAD tools a plus
• Experience designing and developing teleoperation algorithms and real-time embedded software systems.
• Proficiency in Matlab and C/C++; experience with high-level languages such as Python and JavaScript is a plus.
• Ability to excel in a dynamic, focused team environment with a collaborative and positive approach.
• Comprehensive understanding of teleoperation systems, software, and interfaces for building reliable, mission-critical solutions.
• Skilled in profiling, debugging, and optimizing system software with a disciplined and persistent approach to problem solving.
• Strong communication skills and commitment to teamwork.
• Deep understanding of software engineering principles and methodologies.

Required Education and Training

• A graduate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Control Systems Engineering, or similar field relating to robotics or electro-mechanical systems.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in servo control systems development for robotics or electro-mechanical systems, with hands-on implementation.

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that In