CDE Operations Program Manager

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 Clinical Development Engineering team at Intuitive Surgical holds a unique position within product development by identifying clinical value through enabling the safe, effective, and reliable use of surgical robotic platforms and their components.

As the Operations Program Manager supporting the Clinical Development Engineering (CDE) team, you will lead both technical and non-technical programs from initiation through delivery, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency, training program development, and scheduling platform management. You will drive business results through structured program planning, governance, change management, and cross-functional coordination.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Strategize, implement, and maintain operational program initiatives that support organizational priorities
• Develop and manage internal training programs, including coordination of surgical labs, training resources and materials, and support tools
• Build and scale educational offerings for internal teams, ensuring alignment with clinical and operational goals
• Manage and optimize scheduling platforms (e.g., Smartsheet) to support project tracking, resource allocation, and cross-functional coordination
• Develop evaluation methods to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement
• Identify and mitigate program risks to ensure program goals are achieved, providing transparency regarding issues to stakeholders
• Produce program reports to management and stakeholders, communicate decisions and updates on programs and projects to the broader CDE team
• Maintain organizational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance
• Oversee multiple project teams, ensuring program goals are reached
• Develop and manage the budget for projects and be accountable for delivering against established business goals/priorities
• Work closely with relevant stakeholders to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new initiatives
• Coordinate and delegate cross-project initiatives, identifying key requirements needed from cross-functional teams

Other:

• Keeps the organization’s vision and values at the forefront of decision making and action
• Performs other duties as required to support the company's overall strategy and goals
• Consistently demonstrates culture and values of the organization internally and externally

Skill/Job Requirements:

• At least a 4 year degree in technical field. Biomedical or Biomechanical Engineering a plus
• 4+ years of experience in medical device product development (surgical devices preferred)
• Excellent project management, planning, decision making, negotiating and change management skills
• Experience with da Vinci systems in a clinical environment a plus
• Ability to cut to the heart of a problem, create a solution, and build consensus around that solution
• Outstanding cross-functional teamwork: works collaboratively, effectively, and efficiently with team members of diverse backgrounds to ensure program/project success
• Proven interpersonal skills: able to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships, able to raise problems or challenges in a productive manner
• Proven success recognizing critical issues with the ability to react quickly under pressure, and drive issues to closure by providing coordinated direction. Creative in succeeding and applying simple solutions.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and limited resources
• Excellent communication (written, verbal), presentation and documentation skills
• Ability to travel up to 10%, international and domestic

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.

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, 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 salary ranges are listed.

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

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.