Design Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Design engineering is a strong category for H-1B visa sponsorship. The role clearly requires an engineering degree, making it a textbook specialty occupation. Automotive companies, aerospace firms, consumer electronics manufacturers, and industrial equipment companies all sponsor regularly. L-1 visa transfers are also common at multinational engineering firms with U.S. operations. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The R&D group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a senior mechanical engineer with a focus on the mechanical design of surgical instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel system concept and optimization of established system concepts for a new application of surgical robotics. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team focused on successful implementation of product development.
The Instrument and Accessories team at Intuitive is a cross-functional team dedicated to the creation of innovative medical robotic tools and technologies. We create transformational technologies to address the major pain points and unmet needs in our healthcare system.
Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient outcomes as our highest priority. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will focus on the development of robotic surgical instruments for minimally invasive surgical applications. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot to root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, small-team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing and creating innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.
Essential Job Duties
- Design and develop novel robotic surgical instruments, including design and procurement of components, prototype assembly and builds, and design and development of testing and assembly fixtures and methods.
- Work in a small, cross-functional team to define and develop product requirements and functional specifications for robotic instruments, subsystems, and systems.
- Analyze and test product prototype designs, critically analyze results, and present results to the engineering team.
- Provide written protocols, reports, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities on an ongoing basis.
- Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, new manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
- Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including components, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
- Contribute to and make decisions based on risk assessments, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks.
- Observe pre-clinical and clinical cases and interface with clinical experts to inform designs and identify user needs through workflow analysis.
- Document, prepare and review patent submissions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience developing commercial medical products.
- Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional research and development teams.
- Command of evaluating designs via prototype testing and rigorous mathematical analysis.
- Ability to investigate and determine root cause of both latent and emerging design problems.
- Experience with metals, plastics, fabrication methods, plastics molding, MIM, extrusions, process equipment, adhesives, and/or disposable medical products are a strong plus.
- Proficiency using CAD to design and document mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred.
- Experience with GD&T and other related ASME/ISO drafting standards and tolerance stack analysis.
- Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, validation, qualification, and transfer.
- Experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601 and other related external standards.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
Required Education and Training
- Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Materials Science or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Must be able to lift, carry and move 50 lbs.
- Routinely lifts, carries and moves 10 lbs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with robotics.
- Familiarity with electromechanical design, PCBAs, sensors and flexible circuits.
- Experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical review.
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.
This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.
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.
Base Compensation Range Region 1: $162,800 USD - $234,200 USD
Base Compensation Range Region 2: $138,400 USD - $199,100 USD
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.
LOCATION
Sunnyvale, CA, United States
Not Remote
Engineering
JOB211150
INTRODUCTION
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.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The R&D group within Intuitive Surgical is searching for a senior mechanical engineer with a focus on the mechanical design of surgical instruments, contributing to the exploration of a novel system concept and optimization of established system concepts for a new application of surgical robotics. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a small and innovative team focused on successful implementation of product development.
The Instrument and Accessories team at Intuitive is a cross-functional team dedicated to the creation of innovative medical robotic tools and technologies. We create transformational technologies to address the major pain points and unmet needs in our healthcare system.
Joining Intuitive Surgical means joining a team dedicated to using technology to benefit patients by improving surgical efficacy and decreasing surgical invasiveness, with patient outcomes as our highest priority. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will focus on the development of robotic surgical instruments for minimally invasive surgical applications. The successful candidate will have both the technical depth to resolve complex mechanical, materials and manufacturing design issues and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team to troubleshoot to root cause higher level system issues. They must excel in a high-energy, focused, small-team environment, and have a commitment to high quality prototypes and concepts and a demonstrated record of developing and creating innovative engineering solutions. A strong sense of shared responsibility and reward is required as well as a commitment to high product quality.
Essential Job Duties
- Design and develop novel robotic surgical instruments, including design and procurement of components, prototype assembly and builds, and design and development of testing and assembly fixtures and methods.
- Work in a small, cross-functional team to define and develop product requirements and functional specifications for robotic instruments, subsystems, and systems.
- Analyze and test product prototype designs, critically analyze results, and present results to the engineering team.
- Provide written protocols, reports, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities on an ongoing basis.
- Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, new manufacturing processes, test methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
- Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including components, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
- Contribute to and make decisions based on risk assessments, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks.
- Observe pre-clinical and clinical cases and interface with clinical experts to inform designs and identify user needs through workflow analysis.
- Document, prepare and review patent submissions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience developing commercial medical products.
- Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional research and development teams.
- Command of evaluating designs via prototype testing and rigorous mathematical analysis.
- Ability to investigate and determine root cause of both latent and emerging design problems.
- Experience with metals, plastics, fabrication methods, plastics molding, MIM, extrusions, process equipment, adhesives, and/or disposable medical products are a strong plus.
- Proficiency using CAD to design and document mechanisms; SolidWorks preferred.
- Experience with GD&T and other related ASME/ISO drafting standards and tolerance stack analysis.
- Experience with all phases of the product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification, validation, qualification, and transfer.
- Experience with FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601 and other related external standards.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
Required Education and Training
- Minimum BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Materials Science or related engineering or scientific discipline, or equivalent work experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Must be able to lift, carry and move 50 lbs.
- Routinely lifts, carries and moves 10 lbs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with robotics.
- Familiarity with electromechanical design, PCBAs, sensors and flexible circuits.
- Experience with design of experiments (DoEs) and statistical review.
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.
This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.
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.
Base Compensation Range Region 1: $162,800 USD - $234,200 USD
Base Compensation Range Region 2: $138,400 USD - $199,100 USD
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Set Schedule - This job will be onsite weekly, the percentage of onsite work will be defined by the leader.
LOCATION
Sunnyvale, CA, United States
Not Remote
Engineering
JOB211150
See all 5,262+ Design Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Design Engineer
Build a strong portfolio with CAD and simulation tools
Proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or Creo combined with FEA tools like ANSYS or Abaqus is expected for most design engineering roles. A portfolio that shows complete design-through-analysis workflows demonstrates the specialized skills employers need to justify sponsorship.
Target consumer electronics and automotive OEMs
Apple, Tesla, Ford, and General Motors have sponsored design engineers for product development roles. Large OEMs and tier-1 suppliers with complex product lines need mechanical and industrial design engineers who can work within established PLM systems like Teamcenter or Windchill.
Leverage STEM OPT to build a track record of shipped products
Mechanical and industrial engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Use the full 36-month OPT period to contribute to products that go through prototyping, validation, and production launch - this concrete track record strengthens your case for sponsorship.
Specialize in DFM and tolerance analysis
Design engineers who understand manufacturing constraints like injection molding, sheet metal, CNC machining, or additive manufacturing add value that pure CAD operators do not. GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) expertise per ASME Y14.5 is particularly valued and demonstrates specialized training.
Explore medical device and aerospace design roles
Medical device companies must follow FDA design controls, and aerospace OEMs work under AS9100 quality standards. Design engineers with experience navigating these regulated environments are harder to replace, which supports the specialty occupation argument for H-1B petitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of design engineering roles are most likely to be sponsored?
Product design engineers working on complex electromechanical assemblies, thermal management systems, or structural components tend to have stronger sponsorship prospects. Roles that require both CAD proficiency and engineering analysis (FEA, CFD) are considered more specialized than pure drafting positions. Medical device and aerospace design roles carry additional regulatory requirements that further support the specialty occupation argument.
How to find Design Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Design Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international talent with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on manufacturing companies, automotive firms, aerospace organizations, and tech companies that commonly sponsor H-1B visa, TN visa, and O-1 visas for Design Engineers. These industries frequently need specialized engineering talent and have established visa sponsorship processes.
Do I need a master's degree for design engineer visa sponsorship?
A bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or product design engineering is typically sufficient for design engineering H-1B petitions. A master's degree can help, especially if your work involves advanced simulation, optimization, or research-driven design. Some employers may use a master's degree to justify a higher prevailing wage level.
Which CAD software should I learn for the best sponsorship opportunities?
SolidWorks is the most widely used in consumer products and mid-size manufacturers. CATIA and NX dominate aerospace and automotive OEMs. Creo is common at companies in the PTC ecosystem. Learning the tool used by your target industry matters more than learning every platform, and pairing CAD with simulation tools like ANSYS or HyperMesh further strengthens your profile.
Can industrial designers get H-1B sponsorship?
Industrial designers can be sponsored, though it depends on the role's requirements. Positions classified under engineering SOC codes with technical design and analysis responsibilities generally have a stronger case for H-1B approval. Roles that are primarily aesthetic or conceptual design may face more scrutiny regarding the specialty occupation requirement, so combining industrial design with engineering skills is advantageous.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Design Engineer jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a design engineer in California will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.