Whether they’re assembling an endoscope in Germany, building a da Vinci system in California, or helping launch a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Bulgaria, Intuitive manufacturing employees share a common purpose: building products that help care teams deliver better care to patients around the world.
For Mike Prindiville, Vice President of NPI Manufacturing Operations, that connection is what makes manufacturing at Intuitive different. “I often say I came for the product, but I stay for the people. I had a passion for robotics, and pairing that with healthcare—one of the most important missions we have as a society—has made this an incredibly meaningful place to build a career.”
After 25 years at Intuitive, Mike has watched the company grow from a small manufacturing operation into a global organization helping expand access to robotic-assisted care. But one thing hasn’t changed. “As the numbers get bigger, the unit of measure is still one. One product. One surgeon. One patient.”
Manufacturing with purpose
Every instrument, endoscope, and accessory for da Vinci or Ion is the result of thousands of carefully executed steps. It takes teamwork across manufacturing, engineering, quality, and supply chain—and it takes technicians who understand that every detail matters.
Mike sees that sense of purpose every day. “Employees feel a strong sense of pride. We feel connected with the mission, and with that pride comes a sense of responsibility. It’s increasingly common that employees have had surgeries themselves or know family members who have. That connection becomes very personal.”
That same feeling is shared by manufacturing employees around the world.
Song Luong, Assembly Technician, Sunnyvale
“Working at Intuitive is no longer just a job for me but an everyday mission. Knowing that I’m helping doctors change lives and contributing to other people’s needs is what makes this job so worth it.”
Ric Gorospe, Director Manufacturing Consumables, Sunnyvale
“Hearing firsthand how our work has helped so many people over the years makes me both proud and humbled to be here.”
Hanna Vialle, Assembler Endoscopes, Freiburg
“It’s incredible knowing that our endoscopes serve as the eyes of the robot and the surgeon, helping to enable surgeries and ultimately helping doctors to change lives.”
Growing with the mission
For people considering a manufacturing career, Mike says the opportunity extends well beyond the production floor. “Manufacturing offers an endless pool of technologies to learn—from robotics and electromechanical systems to software, testing, automation, and quality. We’ve seen people grow into leadership roles, engineering, planning, procurement, and even field service supporting the same products they once helped build.”
As Intuitive continues expanding manufacturing around the world, he believes there’s never been a better time to join. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the mission. Whether you’re inspired by the technology or by improving healthcare, I think it’s the right place for the right people.”
