Production Supervisor

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

The primary objective for this role is to lead and supervise the technicians on assembly line(s) which build a variety of products. The primary focus is on achieving safety and quality goals while simultaneously meeting team performance goals for production. These goals will include: efficiency, FPY, hours accuracy, scrap, time lost accuracy, DHR accuracy/PL accuracy, and first pass cycle yield.

The senior supervisor works closely with Assembly Technicians, Engineers, Group Leads, Trainers, and manufacturing management to achieve team performance goals.

Essential Job Duties 

• Safety and Quality!

• Conduct root cause analysis autonomously.

• Participate in lean initiatives and implement changes with guidance.

• Expert in in SAP and Agile

• Review/approve ECOs, assess manufacturing impact, and use Microsoft Office and MRP systems for data reporting.

• Understand quality systems and ensure compliance during internal/external audits.

• Participate in cross-functional projects, coordinating tasks with some oversight.

• Plan individual tasks, use project management tools, and create task implementation plans with direction.

• Review and present manufacturing and quality metrics, escalating when necessary.

• Set and communicate goals with some mentorship, aligning team goals with corporate priorities, and recognize outstanding performance.

• Identify and escalate conflicts with mentorship, learning to spot early indicators.

• Identify team stars, create development plans with mentorship, and set effective personal goals.

• Make efficient recommendations with minimal oversight, understanding the reasons and priorities behind projects.

• Mitigate risks by reviewing lessons learned and similar projects.

• Advise peers and drive project teams, execute improvements, and present effectively to management.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in the medical device industry is preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, and 6-sigma. Demonstrated experience in leading various Lean Manufacturing initiatives or projects.

• Experience in leading new product transfers into Manufacturing.

• Expert in the use of personal computers to perform daily work. Familiar with the Microsoft Office suite of programs and MRP systems. SAP and Agile experience required.

• Superb communication skills, including written and verbal instruction.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and multi-focused work environment.

Required Education and Training 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or a related field; is preferred, or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Working Conditions

• Ability to lift 50lbs.

• Able to use office and test equipment in a typical office/light manufacturing environment.

• Repetitive motion. Keyboard and computer motion.

• Vision abilities required include close, distance, color, depth and ability to adjust focus.

• Work Environment:

• Typical production & repairs environment.

• High urgency and occasional stress associated with customer deadlines.

• Some risk of exposure commonly used chemical compounds such as epoxy, denatured alcohol and acetone.

• Willing and able to work extended hours when necessary.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• The ideal candidate will have a love for a fast-paced and multi-focused work environment.

• Extensive knowledge of the PDCA cycle and other advanced lean tools.

• Ability to implement visual displays, 5s, TPM, Kanban, CI, and COMMWIP with minimal guidance.

• Proven experience with people management, conflict resolution and risk management.

• Experience with non-conformance investigations and ECO's.

• Experience in the medical device industry is preferred, specifically in the area of high volume instrument manufacturing.

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.