The da Vinci 5 surgical robotics system. | Source: Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical notified the state of California of its intention to lay off a total of 331 employees in Sunnyvale.
The surgical robotics leader filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice in California on Aug. 21. California officials processed the filing on Aug. 22 and the headcount cut goes into effect on Oct. 27, 2025.
Intuitive listed its reduction as a permanent layoff of 331 employees at the 1050 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, California, headquarters. The company reported an overall headcount of 15,638 in its most recent annual report, meaning this cut represents just over 2% of its workforce.
Details from the WARN letter
In the Intuitive WARN letter shared with MassDevice by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the company said it plans to cease operations for graveyard and weekend shifts for its Ion instruments and accessories production, as well as all related logistics and quality operations activities in Sunnyvale. All roles supporting these shifts will be eliminated.
Graveyard and weekend shifts cease effective Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, 2025, respectively.
Intuitive also said it plans to transition its 4×10 (four days per week, 10 hours each day) shifts into a 5×8 shift schedule. This move applies to all production teams in Sunnyvale. The company expects this change to take effect by Oct. 27. Intuitive said it comes as part of its creation of a global “hub model.”
The position with the highest total number of employees affected is the assembly technician role in Sunnyvale. Manufacturing leads (26), material handlers (22) and trainers (22) make up a large chunk as well. Other positions include: Manufacturing technician (11), PMC technician (6), material handler lead (4), product release associate (3), senior final quality inspector systems (3), MRB coordinator (2), senior PMC technician (2), senior product release specialist (2), product release specialist (2), senior final quality inspector (2), senior MRB coordinator (1), PMC lead (1), senior PMC coordinator (1) and product release lead (1).
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy system — which the FDA cleared in 2019 — produced by these eliminated positions is a robotic-assisted, catheter-based platform. Ion enables minimally invasive biopsy deep within the lung. Fiber optic shape sensor technology along the catheter’s length provides its precise location and shape information throughout the procedure.
Statement from Intuitive
A company spokesperson shared the following statement with MassDevice via email:
“We are transitioning to a new shift schedule to allow our manufacturing teams to coordinate more effectively. As part of this change, we have informed employees of planned adjustments ahead of their implementation. Our goal is to retain these employees in roles on the standard shift schedule, however, we understand that roles on the standard shift schedule may not be suitable for some of these employees and we are committed to assisting their transition to alternate employment.”
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The longtime leader in surgical robotics, Intuitive’s cuts come as it continues the rollout of its latest-generation surgical robot. Its da Vinci 5 system won FDA clearance last year, then picked up CE mark in July. The company began its commercial rollout in the U.S. this year.
In May, Intuitive also won FDA clearance for a new indication for its da Vinci single port (SP) system. Also in July, the company announced FDA clearance for the latest advanced energy instrumentation for da Vinci. A week later, it announced a demonstration that showcased its telesurgery capabilities for surgical robotics.
The company also recently reported second-quarter financial results that impressed analysts.
Still, Intuitive said it expects tariffs to have a 1% impact on its revenue. Company officials previously said that last year it manufactured 98% of its robotic systems in the U.S. However, it made 70% of its endoscopes in Europe and about 80% of its instruments and accessories in Mexico. Recent competition from third-part companies reprocessing Intuitive instruments also raised questions around the company.
MassDevice has reached out to Intuitive for comment. This article may be updated.
To hear how Intuitive’s strategy for da Vinci 5, join us at RoboBusiness, where Iman Jeddi, SVP and GM of Single Port Surgery, will sit down for the closing keynote interview. The event is Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now.
Editor’s Note: This article was republished from sister site MassDevice. It was updated at 1:54 PM Eastern on August 28, 2025.
This seems super weird.
Article basically said, they are doing good, tariffs barely makes a scratch on them, and the whole robotics sector is booming…and they’ve decided to fire hundreds of people…I’m missing something.