Intuitive
healthcare
Manager,SupplierEngineering
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for mid candidates.
“Manager, Supplier Engineering at Intuitive. Skills: Supplier Engineering, Team Leadership, Supplier Performance Management, Process Improvement, Cross-functional Partnership. Lead a team of Supplier Engineers supporting the plant production supply base. Organize the Supplier Engineering team by commodity and product line”
What You'll Achieve.
drive deep product knowledge, supplier process expertise, and clear ownership across the supply chain lifecycle; drive quality, cost, capacity, and risk mitigation performance; maintain a resilient, high-performing supply chain for our production plants globally; drive supplier performance, quality improvement, and supply continuity to support stable plant operations and a high-performing, sustainable production supply chain; ensure clear ownership of supplier performance and plant support; ensure supplier readiness to support production stability and uninterrupted supply; improve process capability, inspection methods, and manufacturing controls; ensure supplier processes meet quality and reliability expectations for sustained production performance; effectively partner ISI and the supplier; manage quality and performance of the commodity supply base within ISI; ensure changes are validated and implemented smoothly; identify and manage supplier-related risks, including quality, capacity, and supply continuity; drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for supplier quality issues impacting plant operations; convert recurring supplier issues into structured improvement projects to eliminate root causes; improve supplier performance and reduce variability; improve quality, capacity stability, and operational efficiency within the supplier base; provide visibility to plant leadership on supplier risks, performance trends, and improvement actions; provide plant input on supplier capability and performance; support transition of new suppliers or parts into sustaining production
Industry & Context.
Proven ability to lead teams to solve difficult technical and process problems; problem-solving capability; route cause investigation
Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis – domestic and international, proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19 may be required, may be subject to U. S. export controls
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
BA or BS degree in engineering, 12 or more years related experience in Manufacturing, Operations, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or related field, Minimum 3 years of experience leading engineering teams, or leadership of equivalent areas, Proven ability to lead teams to solve difficult technical and process problems, Proven ability to hire highly capable staff, and grow and mentor staff, Proven ability in New Product Introduction and rapid scaling in production, Outstanding analytical skills along with good judgment, Proficient in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing techniques, Proficient in pFMEA, process validation, route cause investigation, inspection and test techniques, Knowledge of document management system and ERP Information Systems, preferably Agile and SAP, Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of manufacturing processes including understanding of key input variables for quality, cost and capacity, Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentations to executive level management, Demonstrated Project Management skills, Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis – domestic and international
Nice to Have
significant medical or medical device experience preferred, certification preferred, Knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 preferred, Experience in a high-volume medical device company is a plus
What You'll Do.
Lead a team of Supplier Engineers supporting the plant production supply base
Organize the Supplier Engineering team by commodity and product line
Drive deep product knowledge and supplier process expertise
Ensure alignment of supplier strategy
manufacturing process capability
and production readiness
and risk mitigation performance
Lead supplier performance
and supply continuity
Develop supplier engineers with product knowledge
supplier manufacturing understanding
and problem-solving capability
Establish clear ownership for supplier quality
validation reports (VRs)
and plant issue resolution
Coach and develop team members
Own supplier performance for parts supporting the plant across quality
Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related plant issues
Partner with suppliers to drive corrective actions and sustainable process improvements
Monitor supplier performance metrics and implement improvement plans
Ensure supplier readiness to support production stability and uninterrupted supply
Lead supplier process improvements related to quality escapes
or manufacturing inefficiencies
Work directly with suppliers to improve process capability
and manufacturing controls
Drive corrective actions using structured problem-solving methodologies
Ensure supplier processes meet quality and reliability expectations
Manage supplier relationships
Manage quality and performance of the commodity supply base
Own execution and closure of Variance Requests (VRs) and Supplier Change Requests (SCRs)
Support implementation of ECO changes affecting suppliers
Identify and manage supplier-related risks
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure changes are validated and implemented smoothly
Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for supplier quality issues
Convert recurring supplier issues into structured improvement projects
Apply continuous improvement principles to improve supplier performance
Lead initiatives to improve quality
and operational efficiency within the supplier base
Serve as the plant’s primary supplier engineering interface with internal teams
Provide visibility to plant leadership on supplier risks
and improvement actions
Partner with Commodity / Supply Chain Engineering to provide plant input on supplier capability and performance
Support transition of new suppliers or parts into sustaining production
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partnering cross-functionally with NPI SE Commodity SE, Design/Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Planning and Purchasing; Coach and develop team members to strengthen cross-functional collaboration; Partner with suppliers to drive corrective actions and sustainable process improvements; Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure changes are validated and implemented smoothly; Serve as the plant’s primary supplier engineering interface with internal teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering; Partner with Commodity / Supply Chain Engineering to provide plant input on supplier capability and performance
Communication Scope
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentations to executive level management
Process & Methodology
Demonstrated Project Management skills
Full Job 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. Primary Function of Position The Plant Supplier Engineering Manager leads a team of Supplier Engineers (SE) supporting the Sunnyvale plant production supply base across multiple product families. This role is accountable for organizing the Supplier Engineering team by commodity and product line to drive deep product knowledge, supplier process expertise, and clear ownership across the supply chain lifecycle. The Manager ensures alignment of supplier strategy, manufacturing process capability, and production readiness across New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining production. This role drives quality, cost, capacity, and risk mitigation performance while partnering cross-functionally with NPI SE Commodity SE, Design/Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Planning and Purchasing to maintain a resilient, high-performing supply chain for our production plants globally. Essential Job Duties - Plant Supplier Engineering Lead a team of Supplier Engineers responsible for driving supplier performance, qual
Applying for this Manager, Supplier Engineering role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on SmartRecruiters
- SmartRecruiters often includes a video screening step — check camera and mic permissions.
- Link your GitHub or portfolio directly in the profile section for technical roles.
- Applications may be reviewed by AI scoring before reaching a recruiter — use keywords from the job description.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about Intuitive?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.