Clinical Intern

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.

Primary Function of Position

REPORTING STRUCTURE: The Clinical Intern will be managed by purposefully onsite Medical Officer of Digital Organization in coordination with the onsite functional engineer manager.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Exploration of clinical applications and procedures using current and emerging robotic platforms
• Conduct background and market research
• Create and refine clinical test scenarios as well as performing hands‑on bench-top and laboratory evaluations.

KEY FUNCTIONS:  

• Development of Telecollaboration Continuum on da Vinci platform by defining surgical use cases, required features and needed supporting technology
• Rigorous documentation and analysis of test results
• Effective communication and presentation of technical content
• Close collaboration with clinical thought leaders and engineers on telecollaboration features, including Telepresence, Telementoring and Telesurgery
• Translate clinical needs into feasible proof‑of‑concept studies.

Essential Job Duties (Specific responsibilities and tasks an individual would be expected to perform in the role. Additional job duties may be determined by functional people manager)

• Development of Telecollaboration Continuum on da Vinci platform by defining surgical use cases, required features and needed supporting technology
• Communicate findings effectively through written reports and presentations, and engage clinical thought leaders for customer discovery and validation
• Gain understanding of regulatory pathways and contribute to analysis of market and regulatory considerations for emerging procedures

Required Skills and Experience

University Hiring Program Eligibility Requirements:

• University Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in and returning to an accredited degree-seeking academic program after the internship.
• Internship Work Period: Must be available to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) for 1 year starting Summer 2026 and ending summer 2027. Specific start dates are shared during the recruiting process.
• Success also depends on being an enrolled surgical resident with program approval and being able to relocate to Sunnyvale for the internship period.

Required Education and Training (As applicable - Specific education and training that an individual must possess in order to successfully perform in job)

• Enrolled as a resident physician in a U.S. surgical training program (any surgical specialty)
• Awarded MD or DO degree

Working Conditions - None

Preferred Skills and Experience (As applicable - Specific skills, knowledge, and experience that are not required to perform the job, but are desirable to have)

• Training in biomechanical engineering
• Analytic capability and practical skills to develop and test theses and draw succinct conclusions 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, comfortable with presentation of technical content
• Self-starter and able to work in collaboration and results-oriented environment

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.