Sr. Engineering Technician

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

The primary objective of an Engineering Technician is to provide troubleshooting support to to the production lines, troubleshooting support for line equipment, performing equipment maintenance, supporting Engineering build requests, and harvesting action to support Manufacturing and Service lines meeting safety, quality, and productivity goals This person will play a significant role in the areas of Failure Analysis, First Pass Yield, Engineering Builds, and Harvesting.

Essential Job Duties

• Follow Service and/or Systems Mfg escalation process and provide evaluation of any interruptions to production line.
• Self-assign work based on incoming requests via the Service or Manufacturing Engineering Technician Escalation process
• Diagnose failures on Service and/or Systems Mfg line for FRU Failures, system level failures, sub-assembly failures, and test fixture failures.
• Perform failure analysis down to component level, investigate root causes, and recommend corrective / preventive actions.
• Perform quick triage of the issue and recommend best course of action to keep production moving including performing simple reworks such as performing simple reworks on the spot such as cable crimping, solder components, tap threads, clean optics, adjust alignment, etc
• Perform all activities to enable service or manufacturing operations to continue with builds including the following: initiating QN documentation when necessary, updating appropriate tasks within QN documentation, modifying or initiating the rework order, and performing rework activities
• Track assigned Escalations from triage to closure coordinating with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to meet expected resolution timelines
• Support Troubleshooting and repair of equipment, fixtures, and tools. Document findings and corrective actions in corresponding QN.
• Assemble new Equipment, Fixtures, and tools per specifications
• Complete Engineering Build Requests meeting all requirements defined by engineering including work order initiation, work order completion, troubleshooting, repairs, testing and any additional actions defined by engineering
• Perform harvesting activities on returned systems and FRUs including work order creation, work order execution, configuration, deconstruction and scrapping.
• Document all activities during escalation support in formal records.
• Execute qualifications under engineering supervision to qualify new equipment to the line.
• Attends daily Tier meetings and weekly training meetings to provide feedback to management and engineering regarding production process, quality, and workmanship issues.
• Execute engineering level tests and collect data to support design of experiment activities or characterize a device.
• Review non-conforming parts in MRB, analyze failures in detail, make decisions on dispositions, and document all findings in formal records.
• Document findings of investigation in quality notifications, which are part of official Device History Records.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to resolve manufacture, process, and quality issues.
• Crosstrain or mentor others in areas of expertise.
• Document all work activities in SPIN and the Service Manufacturing Escalation tracker
• Perform other engineering technician duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience with complex electromechanical devices or comparable field
• Ability to perform failure analysis and troubleshooting with minimal supervision.
• Effectively use of troubleshooting and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, and custom test platforms
• Understand wiring diagrams, schematics, assembly drawings, fab drawings, and mechanical component drawings.
• Ability to read, modify, and execute test scripts for debug.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to variety of technologies that allow effective troubleshooting.
• Sense of urgency and multi-tasking is essential to be able to support production line effectively.
• Good communication and documentation skills.
• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Must possess extensive knowledge/experience in troubleshooting electromechanical issues.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum AS degree, trade school, military technical training or equivalent experience

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to sit or stand for multiple hours
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 3 years of component level troubleshooting experience on FPGA/Microprocessor-based Printed
• Experience with Agile, SAP, MES, and SPC or equivalent tools.

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.