At Intuitive, progress isn’t measured only by what we build—it’s measured by the people behind it. The past year brought its share of complexity, growth, and change, but what stood out most were the stories that showed how that work happens: with grit, curiosity, inclusion, and a deep connection to our mission.
From sales leaders navigating pressure with purpose, to engineers solving hard problems together, to employees who’ve seen the impact of our technology firsthand, these five stories capture what it really means to grow a career at Intuitive.
Grit, gratitude, and leading through challenge
Emily Voigt, Endoluminal Sales Director
“Sales is hard,” Emily says. “You get told ‘no’ a lot.”
Eight years into her career at Intuitive, she’s lived the pace and pressure that comes with leading sales teams—but also the rewards.
For Emily, grit is about urgency, resilience, and showing up fully, even on the hardest days. Gratitude is what grounds that grit. It comes from leading a passionate team and seeing their work bring Ion technology to hospitals across the U.S., transforming lung biopsy procedures and helping doctors change lives.
“It’s the people that keep you at Intuitive,” she says. “And it’s the mission that makes the hard work worth it.”
Turning lived experience into impact
Naldo Calderon, Commercial Learning Manager, Global Distribution
Naldo Calderon’s career didn’t follow a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes his story powerful.
Born in Guatemala, Naldo immigrated to the U.S. speaking only Spanish. As a teenager, he struggled to assimilate and find his place. Seeking structure and purpose, he joined the military, where he discovered resilience and leadership during his deployment to Iraq. After returning, he became a U.S. citizen—a milestone that marked how far he’d come.
Today, as a commercial learning manager at Intuitive and co-chair of the ¡HOLA! Employee Resource Group, Naldo channels that journey into his work. He trains surgeons around the world in minimally invasive techniques—skills they’ll use for the rest of their careers.
The language that once made him feel like an outsider is now one of his greatest strengths. Teaching surgeons across Latin America, he helps shape the future of healthcare.
“Your story has power,” Naldo says. “It makes you an asset.”
Solving complex problems, together
Multiport Engineering & Ion Software Engineering teams
Some of Intuitive’s most impactful work happens far from the spotlight—in the collaborative spaces where engineers take on novel, complex challenges to bring Intuitive’s technology to life.
Across our Multiport Engineering and Ion Software Engineering teams, the work is defined by systems thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term ownership. Engineers partner across hardware, software, and clinical teams to build platforms that support surgeons in performing highly complex procedures.
When the mission becomes personal
Watch our More than a Job series
For some employees, Intuitive’s mission isn’t abstract—it’s deeply personal.
In our More than a Job series, employees share what it’s like to experience da Vinci surgery as patients or caregivers themselves. Seeing the technology from the other side of the operating room reshapes how they think about their work.
These stories underscore why the work here resonates so strongly. It’s one thing to know you’re contributing to better care. It’s another to witness that impact in your own life or the life of someone you love.
They remind us that behind every system, instrument, and line of code is a human outcome — and that’s what keeps teams motivated through the hard work.
Finding purpose and direction
“When I go home at night, I know I made a difference. It’s not abstract—it’s real.”
For Devan Bolden, Intuitive became a place not just to build a career, but to discover confidence, direction, and purpose.
His journey reflects something many employees experience here: growth that happens over time, through challenge, support, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. At Intuitive, careers aren’t one-size-fits-all. People are encouraged to learn, stretch, and find the paths that align with both their strengths and their values.
Looking ahead
Taken together, these stories reflect what defines Intuitive: challenging work, supportive teams, and a shared commitment to helping surgeons care for patients. As you think about what’s next in 2026, Intuitive could be the place to grow, contribute, and build a career rooted in purpose.
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