The da Vinci 5 surgical robotics system. | Supply: Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical notified the state of California of its intention to put off a complete of 331 workers in Sunnyvale.
The surgical robotics chief filed a Employee Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) discover in California on Aug. 21. California officers processed the submitting on Aug. 22 and the headcount minimize goes into impact on Oct. 27, 2025.
Intuitive listed its discount as a everlasting layoff of 331 workers on the 1050 Kifer Street, Sunnyvale, California, headquarters. The corporate reported an total headcount of 15,638 in its most up-to-date annual report, which means this minimize represents simply over 2% of its workforce.
Particulars from the WARN letter
Within the Intuitive WARN letter shared with MassDevice by the California Employment Improvement Division (EDD), the corporate stated it plans to stop operations for graveyard and weekend shifts for its Ion devices and equipment manufacturing, in addition to all associated logistics and high quality operations actions in Sunnyvale. All roles supporting these shifts will likely be eradicated.
Graveyard and weekend shifts stop efficient Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, 2025, respectively.
Intuitive additionally stated it plans to transition its 4×10 (4 days per week, 10 hours every day) shifts right into a 5×8 shift schedule. This transfer applies to all manufacturing groups in Sunnyvale. The corporate expects this modification to take impact by Oct. 27. Intuitive stated it comes as a part of its creation of a world “hub mannequin.”
The place with the best complete variety of workers affected is the meeting technician position in Sunnyvale. Manufacturing leads (26), materials handlers (22) and trainers (22) make up a big chunk as effectively. Different positions embrace: Manufacturing technician (11), PMC technician (6), materials handler lead (4), product launch affiliate (3), senior remaining high quality inspector programs (3), MRB coordinator (2), senior PMC technician (2), senior product launch specialist (2), product launch specialist (2), senior remaining high quality inspector (2), senior MRB coordinator (1), PMC lead (1), senior PMC coordinator (1) and product launch lead (1).
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy system — which the FDA cleared in 2019 — produced by these eradicated positions is a robotic-assisted, catheter-based platform. Ion permits minimally invasive biopsy deep inside the lung. Fiber optic form sensor know-how alongside the catheter’s size supplies its exact location and form info all through the process.
Extra on Intuitive’s newest developments
The longtime chief in surgical robotics, Intuitive’s cuts come because it continues the rollout of its latest-generation surgical robotic. Its da Vinci 5 system received FDA clearance final yr, then picked up CE mark in July. The corporate started its business rollout within the U.S. this yr.
In Could, Intuitive additionally received FDA clearance for a brand new indication for its da Vinci single port (SP) system. Additionally in July, the corporate introduced FDA clearance for the most recent superior power instrumentation for da Vinci. Every week later, it introduced an indication that showcased its telesurgery capabilities for surgical robotics.
The corporate additionally lately reported second-quarter monetary outcomes that impressed analysts.
Nonetheless, Intuitive stated it expects tariffs to have a 1% affect on its income. Firm officers beforehand stated that final yr it manufactured 98% of its robotic programs within the U.S. Nevertheless, it made 70% of its endoscopes in Europe and about 80% of its devices and equipment in Mexico. Current competitors from third-part corporations reprocessing Intuitive devices additionally raised questions across the firm.
MassDevice has reached out to Intuitive for remark. This text could also be up to date.
To listen to how Intuitive’s technique for da Vinci 5, be a part of us at RoboBusiness, the place Iman Jeddi, SVP and GM of Single Port Surgical procedure, will sit down for the closing keynote interview. The occasion is Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now.
Editor’s Word: This text was republished from sister website MassDevice.
