About the role#
As a Robotics Engineering Intern, you will report to the research lab to help build a sim-to-real-to-sim platform for our surgical robot systems. You will support the development of autonomous controllers by creating tools that bridge the gap between virtual environments and physical hardware. This work focuses on rapid prototyping and de-risking new architectures for surgical applications.
What you'll do#
- Build virtual models of the surgical field to enable interaction within simulation.
- Implement control architectures using high-level tools like MATLAB and low-level embedded C++.
- Create simulation environments that combine constrained rigid-body dynamics with realistic lighting and textures.
- Synthesize simulated environments using video data, including geometry and stiffness information.
- Run closed-loop round-trip tests by training controllers in simulation, testing them on hardware, and using the resulting data to improve your simulation environments.
- Systematically test and evaluate controller performance across both simulation and robot hardware.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Master's or Doctorate program for Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Availability to work full-time for 10-12 weeks starting in May or June 2027.
- Intent to return to your academic program following the internship.
- Experience with MATLAB or Python for control system design.
- Experience with MuJoCo or similar rigid-body dynamics simulators.
- Familiarity with sim-to-real transfer methods and NVIDIA Isaac Sim.
- Knowledge of embedded C++ for controller implementation.
- Understanding of autonomous control architectures and video-based 3D reconstruction techniques.
Location & details#
- Location: Sunnyvale, California.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: This is a paid internship.
About Intuitive
Intuitive operates in the medical equipment manufacturing sector. The company develops robotic-assisted surgery systems and technology for minimally invasive care. It was founded in 1995 and maintains its headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The organization employs over 10,000 people.
How to get in at Intuitive
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