“The products we’re making today are the future of medicine. Innovation moves so fast, you have to think five years ahead—but we’re a very innovative, high-tech company. And when you make great products, the market only grows.” Harald Haigis, Intuitive’s GM and VP of operations for EMEA has seen Intuitive grow across Europe since joining the team in 2019. The latest area of expansion is an exciting new site in Parvomay, Bulgaria. From his base in Emmendingen and Biebertal Germany, he’s now helping build the site and the team that will manufacture endoscopes—the “eye of the da Vinci.”
Below, Harald reflects on the progress so far, explains what new team members should expect in their first weeks and months, and shares how Intuitive’s growth will continue creating new opportunities for the team. 
Tell us more about that—what’s planned for Parvomay, and how is the site coming along?
It’s a very large project; the production area is 160,000 square feet, and we’ll have another 26,000 square feet of administrative space. Construction started in August of 2023, and by January 2025 the construction will be finalized. We’ll have all the key production areas the team needs to build from a block of glass to a finished endoscope.
On the hiring side, we have most of our manager-level team members in place now, and some have already started training with our colleagues in Germany, preparing to come back and train more team members on-site in Bulgaria. I expect we’ll have about 140 people end of next year, and double that—if not more—in 2030.
In the long term, the endoscope production we’re launching next year is just the first of several stages. We plan to add production of the instruments that are used for robotic surgery and consumables like drapes and covers. Ultimately, approximately 70 percent of future endoscope production will happen in Parvomay, while our Germany locations will focus more on new product development. 
What is the training process like for new employees?
We start by explaining the Intuitive culture that supports our goals, including the most important value: patients first, always. We’re making medical devices that will be used with patients, so we have very high standards. There’s a lot of structure; things are well-organized. We want everyone here to know exactly what to do, and how. We document all our processes and make sure to train everyone on where they can find answers to their questions.
When new hires start hands-on production training, we have a step-by-step plan to help them learn each operation. Working with such tiny parts can be difficult—our lenses are less of two millimeters wide, and the camera itself is just eight millimeters. It’s challenging at first. But that makes it even more satisfying as you develop your skills and see the results. It gives you motivation to keep going and to keep challenging yourself.
How will team members be able to grow their careers?
We do a lot of cross-training at Intuitive, both for different kinds of production and assembly, and for management roles. If you want to try something where you’re not working under a microscope, for example, you can learn another part of the process. Our managers always try to understand people’s interests and help them try things. It’s not possible to train everyone for everything, but the more we do, the more our team can realize their potential—and it makes us more flexible as a team.
There’s also going to be a lot of opportunity to grow into completely new roles. There will also be more leadership opportunities as we expand. We’re always looking for people who have that spirit and desire to lead, and who are strong communicators. Not everyone will choose to follow that path, but I want every employee here to have the opportunity to grow.
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If you are interested in building the future of healthcare at home in Bulgaria, you can find a role and apply here.
