Full-Time
Technical Lead
Software Engineering, New Product Development
Posted on 1/24/2026
Intuitive Surgical
10,001+ employees
Manufactures robotic surgical systems and services
No salary listed
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
In Person
 Engineering Management (1) |
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- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field and 10 years of experience; or Master's degree and 8 years of experience; or PhD and 5 years of experience
- 10+ years of experience with embedded software development
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming for embedded systems
- Hands-on experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) such as ThreadX, SafeRTOS, QNX
- Experience with embedded Linux, including kernel configuration, driver development, and application development in the user space
- Solid understanding of hardware-software integration and the ability to read and understand schematics and datasheets
- Experience with communication protocols commonly used in embedded systems (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, TCP/IP)
- Familiarity with medical device regulations and standards, particularly IEC 62304
- Experience with debugging tools (e.g., JTAG/SWD debuggers, GDB), and hardware testing equipment
- Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
- Architectural Ownership & Vision: Design, document, and lead the implementation of end-to-end system architecture for new and existing applications, focusing on scalability, security, and performance.
- Architectural Ownership & Vision: Establish and enforce best practices for software design, coding standards, and deployment processes across the engineering team.
- Architectural Ownership & Vision: Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and frameworks by performing proof-of-concepts (PoCs) and analysis to keep our technology stack modern and competitive.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and build consensus among stakeholders with varying levels of technical expertise.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to translate abstract business needs into concrete technical solutions and system diagrams.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage differing opinions to arrive at the best technical outcome for the business.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative and approachable demeanor, dedicated to mentoring and elevating the skills of the entire team.
- Embedded Software Development: Design, develop, and maintain embedded software in C/C++ for real-time and safety-critical applications on medical devices.
- Embedded Software Development: Work with and contribute to software running on Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) like [e.g., ThreadX, SafeRTOS, QNX] and embedded Linux distributions like [e.g., Yocto, Buildroot].
- Embedded Software Development: Develop and implement device drivers, board support packages (BSPs), and other low-level firmware to interface with custom hardware.
- Embedded Software Development: Optimize software for performance, memory usage, and power consumption on resource-constrained embedded platforms.
- Documentation & Compliance: Generate and maintain clear, well-structured technical documentation, including software requirements specifications, design documents, and test reports.
- Documentation & Compliance: Adhere to software development lifecycle processes and documentation standards required for medical device regulation (e.g., IEC 62304).
- Documentation & Compliance: Participate in risk analysis and contribute to the software risk management file (per ISO 14971) to identify and mitigate software-related hazards.
- Documentation & Compliance: Utilize version control systems (e.g., Git) and bug tracking tools (e.g., Jira) as part of an agile or waterfall development process.
- Experience with safety-critical or high-reliability systems development
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines
- Familiarity with ISO 13485 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14971 (Risk Management)
- Experience with multi-threaded, event-driven programming
- Knowledge of embedded security principles and practices
Intuitive Surgical designs, manufactures, and sells robotic surgical systems and provides related services and accessories for minimally invasive surgery. The core product helps surgeons perform operations with enhanced precision by guiding robotic arms controlled from a console, allowing procedures to be done through small incisions. Instruments and consumables are used with the systems and are supported by service contracts, creating a recurring revenue stream. Compared to competitors, Intuitive has a large installed base and focuses specifically on robotic-assisted surgery, combining devices, disposable instruments, and ongoing services to support hospitals and surgical centers. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes by enabling safer, less invasive procedures while expanding the use and capabilities of robotic surgery for more procedures and providers.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Sunnyvale, California
Founded
1995
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Bariatric surgery market expansion as da Vinci outperforms GLP-1 drugs for sustained weight loss.
- Ion bronchoscopy system procedures grew 39% YoY with 1,041 installed units capturing lung cancer detection.
- Less than 5% of eligible surgeries globally performed robotically indicates substantial international adoption runway.
What critics are saying
- FDA Class II recalls of instruments with fraying cables disrupt 86% of Q1 recurring revenue.
- FDA safety communication on curved tip staplers halts hospital use, eroding surgeon confidence in reliability.
- EU MDR recertification deadline December 2028 halts 25% European sales during redesign and testing.
What makes Intuitive Surgical unique
- 70-80% market share in soft-tissue robotics with 11,395 installed da Vinci systems globally.
- 85% recurring revenue from instruments, accessories, and service contracts provides predictable cash flow.
- da Vinci 5 platform expands into cardiac surgery and complex procedures previously requiring open surgery.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 0%Intuitive Surgical could emerge as a dark horse in the anti-obesity market as bariatric surgery proves more effective than GLP-1 drugs for long-term weight loss. A recent study of over 50,000 patients found surgery patients lost an average of 58 pounds after two years, compared to just 12 pounds for those using GLP-1 medications. The study also showed surgery delivers more sustainable results. Gastric bypass patients maintain around 52% of their excess weight loss after 10 years, whilst GLP-1 users often regain all lost weight after stopping treatment. Intuitive's da Vinci surgical system offers minimally invasive bariatric surgery options. The company generated $10.1 billion in revenue last year, up from $8.4 billion, with profit margins around 28%. Despite shares falling over 20% this year, the company's position in surgical innovation makes it a compelling long-term investment.
Intuitive Surgical has experienced recent share price weakness, declining 3% in one day with negative returns over the past week, month and three months. The stock currently trades at $452.66, down 10.1% over one month and 19.45% year-to-date, though three-year total shareholder returns remain strong at 77.19%. The medical technology company reports annual revenue of $10.1 billion and net income of $2.9 billion, maintaining a dominant position in minimally invasive surgical technology. According to one valuation analysis, Intuitive Surgical's fair value sits at $532.46, suggesting the stock is undervalued by approximately 15% at current levels. The analysis projects 12% annual revenue growth over the next five years, supported by recurring revenues from spare parts and software licences, with profit margins expected to reach 30% from the current 28.6%.
Intuitive Surgical shares rose 23% following Jim Cramer's recommendation on CNBC's Squawk on the Street in June 2025, where he urged investors to "just go buy ISRG". The medical robotics company experienced a 27% surge in October after reporting third-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates. Revenue reached $2.51 billion against expectations of $2.40 billion, whilst adjusted earnings per share hit $2.40 versus the predicted $1.98. However, the stock declined 2.7% in January 2026 after Intuitive Surgical released preliminary fourth-quarter results, citing concerns that Medicaid funding cuts and competing products could slow growth of its robotic surgical systems. Despite the recent setback, shares remain up significantly since Cramer's initial endorsement, though they're down 7.8% over the past year.
Intuitive Surgical faces headwinds from tariffs and increased competition in the robotic-assisted surgery market, yet its fundamentals remain strong. The medical device company reported fourth-quarter revenue growth of 19% to $2.87 billion, whilst adjusted earnings per share rose 14.5% to $2.53. Procedures using its da Vinci surgical system increased 17%, with the installed base growing 12% to 11,106 units. However, the stock trades at 47.6 times forward earnings, compared to the healthcare sector average of 17.1. New competition is emerging, with Medtronic's Hugo system recently cleared and Johnson & Johnson expected to launch its own device soon. Despite these challenges, Intuitive Surgical maintains advantages through switching costs and extensive real-world data, whilst the underpenetrated robotic-assisted surgery market offers long-term growth potential.
Intuitive Surgical maintained a 37% operating margin in Q4 despite tariffs creating a 95 basis point drag, alongside higher facility costs and unfavourable product mix from newer platforms like da Vinci 5 and Ion. The company offset these pressures through product cost reductions, component savings and manufacturing efficiencies. Procedure growth of 18% in Q4 and recurring revenue now comprising 81% of total revenues provided operating leverage. Management's 2026 gross margin guidance of 67-68% suggests continued stability, even as tariff headwinds are expected to increase to roughly 1.2% of revenues. Meanwhile, Boston Scientific expanded adjusted operating margins by 100 basis points to 28% in 2025, though tariffs will offset favourable product mix in 2026. The company expects 50-75 basis points operating margin expansion in 2026 through scale efficiencies and supply-chain optimisation.