Mechanical Engineering Intern

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

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.

Primary Function of Position

We aim to make applying convenient for you! If you are enrolled in a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate or graduate degree program, apply to this posting and it will ensure you are considered for the relevant openings within Mechanical Design Engineering for Summer 2027. The recruiting timeline for each specific role does vary, so we appreciate your patience as we consider your application throughout the recruiting season.

Please keep in mind the following:

• We recommend that you apply early, before spots begin to fill
• Each role is different, so ensure your resume is comprehensive to your skills, experience, education & training
• You may receive an invite to apply for a specific opening
• You can expect final status on your application by Spring 2027 and we’ll consider your application until then

Essential Job Duties

• Performing engineering tasks, problem-solving and documentation activities related to medical device development and surgical robotic systems and instruments
• Design, assemble and debug mechanical and/or electromechanical test fixtures to evaluate designs
• Develop methods and execute performance tests on component and/or assembly prototypes to inform the design
• Develop design concepts or refinement of design for the product
• Communicating and collaborating with multiple teams and stakeholders to provide updates and provide task deliverables.
• Work on substantive projects that have the potential to impact the future business of the company
• Presenting a project you have been involved with and lessons learned to the organization

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment

Required Education and Training

• Current enrollment in a Mechanical Engineering or relevant Engineering degree-seeking program at the Bachelor’s level. Master’s level students will also be considered based on specific relevant experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Mechanical design and analysis skills, including statics, dynamics, kinematics, strength of materials and stress analysis
• Hands-on experience creating rapid prototypes and mock-ups
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, including injection molding and machining
• Prior use of CAD to design components, assemblies and mechanisms in SolidWorks
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Matlab or Python
• Knowledge of electromechanical or mechatronics design

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.

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.