Staff Embedded Software Engineer - Future Forward

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer in the Future Forward organization, you will work at the forefront of innovation, rapid prototyping, and new product development. You’ll collaborate with talented cross-functional teams—including engineers, clinicians, and product managers—to advance Intuitive’s robotic surgical platform, driving the entire product lifecycle from concept to launch.

In this role, you will architect and develop embedded and platform software that connects and supports key system components—such as hardware, firmware, control algorithms, vision pipeline, user interfaces, and test infrastructure with fault injection mechanisms and diagnostic tools. Your work will be pivotal—not only to timely product delivery, but also ensuring safe and reliable operation for patients worldwide.

Success in this role requires excelling in an agile, small-team environment—transforming initial concepts into robust prototypes, methodically iterating designs, and consistently maintaining exceptional product quality with a patient-first mindset.

Essential Job Duties

• Design and develop robust embedded software to enable system infrastructure, including OS drivers, hardware interfaces, real-time data pipelines, inter-processor communication, error handling, and user/test applications.
• Collaborate cross-functionally throughout the product lifecycle with key stakeholders to address clinical needs and safety requirements.
• Translate early requirements into prototype implementations to evaluate, iterate, and advance novel robotic systems.
• Lead unit testing and code integration efforts to ensure exceptional system reliability and robustness.
• Act as a software subject matter expert, conducting hazard and failure mode analysis, identifying risks, and defining effective mitigation strategies.
• Refine and iterate designs, balancing technical requirements, feasibility, schedules, and resource constraints.
• Produce clear and compliant supporting documentation in alignment with Intuitive's development and quality guidelines.
• Ensure all designs meet rigorous quality and safety standards per the Intuitive Quality Management System.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Minimum 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years with a Master’s degree; or 5 years with a PhD.
• Highly proficient in developing C/C++ embedded and real-time software for multi-core, multi-processor systems, especially on embedded Linux and QNX.
• Demonstrated experience with board bring-up, device driver development, and integration of new hardware components.
• Skilled in version control systems and collaborative development environments, supporting efficient, iterative improvement.
• Familiarity with a wide range of communication protocols—including TCP/IP, CAN, I2C, SPI—and serialization standards such as protobuf.
• Strong problem-solving skills and debugging capabilities for complex embedded software and electromechanical systems.
• In-depth understanding of failure mode and risk analysis, with a track record in safety-critical, product-focused designs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrates passion for innovation, continuous learning, and developing solutions that make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with robotics and embedded software for complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Knowledgeable in Python or Matlab for automation, diagnostics, and testing.
• Familiarity with FPGA development and interfaces.
• Familiarity with CUDA programming and memory management concepts.
• Cybersecurity concepts such as secure boot, authentication and encryption.
• Hands-on engineering experience with proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Experience in all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, troubleshooting, verification, validation, and transfer to manufacturing
• Experience designing software products in a regulated industry or for mission critical applications; comfort with concepts of design input, design output, traceability, risk analysis, and mitigations.

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.