Chief Product Officer – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics | San Jose, CA

Are you an innovative product leader with a passion for transforming healthcare through advanced robotics and artificial intelligence? We are seeking a Chief Product Officer (CPO) to guide the product vision, strategy, and execution for a groundbreaking surgical robotics company in San Jose, CA. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of minimally invasive surgery and make a lasting impact on patients’ lives across the globe.

Drive Innovation in AI-Driven Surgical Robotics

A pioneering medical robotics company based in San Jose, CA is looking for a Chief Product Officer (CPO) to lead its product development roadmap and commercialization strategy. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of product leadership in medtech, deep expertise in AI or robotics, and the ability to align cross-functional teams behind a unified vision. If you thrive at the intersection of technology, clinical excellence, and business growth, this role offers the platform to revolutionize the next generation of surgical care.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Product Officer (CPO) – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics

Product Vision & Strategy: Define and execute a transformative product strategy that leverages artificial intelligence and robotics to improve surgical outcomes. Align the product roadmap with long-term company goals, clinical needs, and emerging market opportunities.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams—including engineering, clinical affairs, regulatory, marketing, and commercial teams—to ensure timely product development, testing, and launch cycles. Promote synergy across departments to accelerate innovation.

Clinical & Market Insight: Collaborate with surgeons, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to gather critical feedback and translate clinical needs into innovative product features. Stay abreast of advancements in AI, computer vision, and surgical robotics to maintain competitive differentiation.

Innovation & Technology Integration: Drive the integration of cutting-edge AI algorithms, real-time data analytics, and robotic automation into product development. Champion a culture of innovation that continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in surgical robotics.

Go-to-Market Execution: Oversee the product lifecycle from concept to commercialization. Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop launch strategies, positioning, and messaging that resonate with clinicians and healthcare systems globally.

Regulatory & Quality Oversight: Ensure products meet all necessary medical device regulatory requirements and quality standards (e.g., FDA, CE Mark). Work closely with regulatory and quality assurance teams to enable timely approvals and mitigate compliance risks.

Financial & Resource Planning: Partner with executive leadership and finance to allocate resources effectively, manage product budgets, and support strategic investments. Align product planning with ROI metrics and revenue targets.

User Experience & Design Thinking: Champion a user-centric design approach by incorporating surgeon and OR staff input into product workflows, interfaces, and ergonomics. Prioritize safety, efficiency, and intuitive design in all development phases.

Team Development & Culture: Build and mentor a high-performing product organization. Foster a culture of collaboration, ownership, and innovation across product management, UX, and technical teams.

Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the voice of the product vision to internal stakeholders, board members, and external partners. Deliver compelling presentations, updates, and insights to inspire alignment and sustained support.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Chief Product Officer (CPO) – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics, the client is seeking an exceptional technology and product leader with a deep understanding of medical device innovation, artificial intelligence, and robotics. You should be a visionary strategist and hands-on operator capable of turning complex technologies into commercially successful, clinically transformative products.

Deep Expertise in MedTech, AI & Robotics

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in the medical device industry, ideally within surgical robotics or AI-powered healthcare technologies. The client values candidates with experience taking products from concept through clinical validation, regulatory clearance, and commercialization. A background that includes working with robotic platforms, computer vision, or machine learning in surgical settings is highly desirable.

Strategic Product Leadership

You must bring a demonstrated ability to craft and execute forward-thinking product strategies that align with both clinical needs and business objectives. The client seeks a product leader who can balance visionary thinking with practical implementation, ensuring that products deliver value across patients, surgeons, and stakeholders.

User-Centered Innovation Mindset

The client places high value on leaders who embed user experience at the core of product development. You should be comfortable working closely with surgeons and operating room staff to translate insights into intuitive, effective product features. A deep understanding of human factors engineering and usability in clinical environments is a plus.

Proven Track Record in Product Lifecycle Management

From early-stage development through go-to-market execution, the client is looking for a CPO who has successfully led cross-functional teams across the full product lifecycle. Experience working within regulatory frameworks (such as FDA and CE Mark) and delivering commercial-grade hardware/software systems is essential.

Collaborative Cross-Functional Leadership

This role requires a leader who excels at unifying diverse teams—from engineering and regulatory to clinical and commercial—under a shared product vision. You should have a history of fostering collaboration, maintaining alignment, and driving outcomes in complex, fast-paced environments.

Business Acumen & Growth Orientation

While deeply technical, this role also demands strong commercial instincts. The client seeks a CPO who can define value propositions, evaluate market opportunities, and align product development with revenue and margin goals. Prior experience contributing to strategic planning and investor presentations is a strong advantage.

Commitment to Patient Impact & Quality

Above all, the client is looking for a leader who is passionate about improving patient outcomes through safe, reliable, and cutting-edge technology. A strong understanding of quality systems, risk management, and regulatory compliance is essential for delivering products that meet the highest clinical standards.

FAQs About the Role – Chief Product Officer (CPO) – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics

1. What are the key responsibilities of the Chief Product Officer in this role?
As the Chief Product Officer, you will define and lead the product vision and strategy for AI-enabled surgical robotics. Your responsibilities include overseeing product development from concept through commercialization, aligning cross-functional teams, integrating cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving market success. You will play a critical role in shaping innovative solutions that improve surgical outcomes and patient care.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience in medical device product management, particularly in surgical robotics or AI-driven healthcare technologies. Experience managing full product lifecycles, navigating regulatory pathways such as FDA or CE Mark, and successfully launching medical products is essential. A background in AI, robotics, or computer vision, combined with strong business acumen, is highly preferred.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for this role?
We seek a visionary and collaborative leader with strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to unite engineering, clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams behind a common product vision. You should demonstrate a user-centric mindset, business growth orientation, and the agility to drive innovation in a fast-evolving medtech environment.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?
Challenges include navigating complex regulatory environments, balancing cutting-edge technology development with clinical usability, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and accelerating time-to-market. You will also need to respond to evolving surgical practices and competitive pressures while ensuring product safety and efficacy.

5. What impact is the Chief Product Officer expected to have on the company?
You will be instrumental in transforming the company’s AI-enabled surgical robotics portfolio into industry-leading products that enhance patient outcomes globally. Your leadership will drive innovation, increase market share, foster strategic partnerships, and contribute directly to the company’s growth and reputation.

6. What is the company culture and work environment like?
The company values innovation, collaboration, and clinical excellence. It offers a dynamic and inclusive workplace where cross-functional teams work closely to pioneer breakthrough technologies. You will have the opportunity to lead in a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and impact-driven work.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Chief Product Officer (CPO) for AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics in San Jose, CA, you can expect a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation package designed to attract visionary leaders in the medtech and robotics space. The remuneration typically includes:

Base Salary
The base salary for a CPO in the medical device and surgical robotics industry varies by company size, funding stage, and market footprint. For a well-established or venture-backed company in San Jose, the annual base salary can range from $250,000 to $500,000, with larger or publicly traded companies offering salaries toward the higher end or beyond.
Performance-Based Bonuses
In addition to base pay, performance incentives are common, often tied to key product milestones, regulatory approvals, revenue growth, and successful market launches. Bonuses can range from 20% to 70% of the base salary, rewarding measurable impact on business and clinical outcomes.
Equity & Stock Options
Equity compensation is a significant component for leadership roles in innovative surgical robotics firms. This may include stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or other equity grants that align your interests with long-term company success. Depending on company valuation and stage, equity grants can represent substantial upside potential.
Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) & Profit Sharing
Some organizations provide LTIPs or profit-sharing programs that reward sustained strategic leadership and business growth over multiple years, reinforcing commitment to long-term value creation.
Executive Benefits & Perks
Comprehensive benefits often include:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement savings plans with company contributions (401(k), pension)
Executive wellness and development programs
Flexible working arrangements and paid time off
Travel allowances and professional development budgets

Signing Bonuses & Relocation Support
For exceptional candidates, companies may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance packages to ease the transition to San Jose. These incentives vary widely depending on the candidate’s profile and company policies.

Total Compensation Potential

When combining base salary, performance bonuses, equity, and benefits, total annual compensation for a Chief Product Officer in AI-enabled surgical robotics can range broadly from approximately $400,000 to over $1 million, with substantial upside linked to company performance and equity appreciation.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary product leader with a strong background in AI-enabled medical technologies and surgical robotics, we invite you to apply for the Chief Product Officer (CPO) – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics role based in San Jose, CA. This is a rare opportunity to lead innovation at the forefront of healthcare technology, driving transformative surgical solutions that improve patient outcomes worldwide.

To apply, please submit your updated resume and a cover letter outlining your experience in medical device product leadership, AI and robotics integration, regulatory navigation, and successful product commercialization. Highlight your expertise in cross-functional team leadership, strategic product vision, and delivering market-driven innovation in highly regulated environments.

This executive role offers a compelling career path to shape next-generation surgical robotics products and make a significant impact on global health. Apply today to join a cutting-edge company pioneering the future of AI-powered surgery!

For more information or to explore similar leadership opportunities in medtech and AI-driven healthcare, visit our AI-Powered Medical Devices Executive Search Consultants Page.

Job Category: AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: San Jose

Chief Product Officer – AI-Enabled Surgical Robotics | San Jose, CA