Plastics Engineering Co-op (Summer - Fall 2024)

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.

As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.

Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.

Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

In this position you will support key areas of the Intuitive business that has a focus on plastics.  Primarily you will be working day to day supporting our Prototyping team and prototyping efforts in support of new product introduction.  Additionally, you will gain experience working on initiatives for any of our Supplier Engineering teams, Design Engineering teams, as well as for our Plastics Commodity team.  You will have an opportunity to work with world class engineering talent and will be expected to lend your talents to advance the field of robotic surgery.

Roles & Responsibilities:

This position has responsibility and authority to:

• Work as a key member of our Fast Prototype team and assist in various prototyping efforts including 3D printing, machined prototypes, injection molded prototypes and cast urethane prototypes.
• Assemble, disassemble, clean and maintain molds. Set up molds in the molding machine.
• Establish and optimize molding processes for a variety of plastic injection molding materials.
• Provide guidance to Tool Shop regarding mold and mold cavity design.
• Specify and purchase standard mold components as needed.
• Maintain inventory of plastics materials and purchase as necessary.
• Work with Design Engineers to collaborate on part design, materials and DFM.
• Work on special projects, as needed, to support the Plastics Strategic Commodity team aimed at supplier development and other continuous improvement efforts.  This can include 6 sigma, SPC, Statistical Techniques, Supplier certification, Supplier rationalization, and Lean Manufacturing.
• Assist Intuitive Supplier Engineers as needed, with visits to key plastics manufacturing sites to troubleshoot part or processing issues.
• Support plastics sourcing efforts including quote reviews, building cost models and comparing return on investments made within the supply chain.
• As time permits, work on supplier process improvements including but not limited to the following programs: 6 Sigma, SPC, and other statistical techniques, supplier certification and rationalization, and Lean Manufacturing Techniques .
• As time permits, Support Supplier Engineering Department or Plastics Commodity Team with supplier performance monitoring, supplier corrective actions, incoming inspection activities, data mining/interpretation, and preparation for internal review meetings.

Qualifications

 University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program in the Fall.
• Co-op Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 20-24 week period starting May or June. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.  

Skills, Experience, Education, & Training:

• Current enrollment in a Plastics or Mechanical Engineering related degree seeking program at the Bachelor’s level (rising senior). Master’s level students will also be considered based on specific relevant experience.
• Hands on experience running injection molding machines.  Experience with Sodick molding machines is a plus.
• Understanding of injection molds and mold design principles.