Robotics and Controls Engineering Intern

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.

Primary Function of Position

The Advanced Product Development (APD) team is leveraging the cutting-edge technology of today to design and develop the surgical robotic systems of the future. Robotics Algorithms and Controls engineers (Systems Analysts) perform a central role in the design, development, and support of new products in the daVinci product line. They are responsible for developing the surgical teleoperation, motion control, and safety algorithms. This responsibility crosses into electrical, mechanical, software, control, user interface, and safety engineering. Systems Analysts strive to provide early design input, prove out new designs, and seek out solutions to challenging problems.

We are seeking a qualified intern to develop and test algorithms for the motion control and user interaction of novel prototypes of robotic systems. Collaborate cross functionally with Mechanical, Electrical and Software engineers to integrate and characterize new hardware prototypes, understand high level requirements and translate them into proofs-of-concept implementation that can be tested.

Essential Job Duties

• Contribute to the analysis of complex medical electro-mechanical devices and servo control systems
• Design and implement scripts for testing and calibration of new mechanical designs and evaluation of algorithmic approaches
• Design experimentation that untangles complex dependencies and drives understanding of key relationships
• Bring-up distributed electro-mechanical systems to be used for experimentation
• Contribute to the development of real-time control algorithms
• Write reports and presentations detailing test results and the pros and cons of contending design approaches
• Design, perform, and document benchtop tests

Required Skills and Experience

• Thorough theoretical knowledge in motion control algorithms
• Knowledge of software standards, practices and techniques including testability, maintainability and scalability
• Demonstrated experience in software development; proficiency in MATLAB and experience with Python and/or C/C++ preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively (written, oral) with the team
• Ability to work well in a team environment

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program in the Fall.
• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) during a 10–12-week period starting May or June. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.

Required Education and Training
Current enrollment in a Controls, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science or similar degree-seeking program at the Doctorate level. Master’s level students would also be considered based on specific relevant experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with hardware and software integration of robotics mechanisms.
• Familiarity with fault detection algorithms.

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 Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action 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.

EEO and AA Policy

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay (paid at an hourly rate), benefits, and a housing allowance. 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 relevant skills and experience for this internship, degree-seeking academic program (PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, etc), year in school, and location. The hourly rate is prorated against the intern program salaries listed and total program compensation will be based on internship duration.