Medical tech company Intuitive to add 1,200 jobs in Gwinnett County

Intuitive, a California company, announced plans to created 1,200 new jobs in the Gwinnett County city of Peachtree Corners, which in recent years created a new town center (shown here). Intuitive, makes robotic-assisted surgical systems and plans to expand on its existing campus. (Courtesy City of Peachtree Corners)

Intuitive, a California company, announced plans to created 1,200 new jobs in the Gwinnett County city of Peachtree Corners, which in recent years created a new town center (shown here). Intuitive, makes robotic-assisted surgical systems and plans to expand on its existing campus. (Courtesy City of Peachtree Corners)

A California company that makes robotic-assisted surgical systems will create about 1,200 jobs in Peachtree Corners, sharply expanding its existing Gwinnett County campus, Georgia announced Wednesday.

The project by Intuitive is expected to involve an investment of more than $500 million.

Intuitive already has about 180 people at its operation in Peachtree Corners, where it has been for about 10 years. It plans to add 750,000 square feet of space for manufacturing, engineering, offices and training facilities for surgeons and other healthcare workers, according to a state press release.

The metro Atlanta expansion is expected to be done in phases, with completion set for 2024.

The horizon for surgery has swiftly expanded beyond the physical limits of surgeons’ hands. So has demand for less-invasive procedures.

The company, which is based in Sunnyvale, makes the da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical systems and Ion bronchoscopy system. The former has been used in millions of surgical procedures, according to the company.

In a press release issued by the state, Intuitive Chief Executive Officer Gary Guthart said the company “needs a highly educated, committed, and diverse workforce; quality infrastructure; and the right geography to meet the rising demand for minimally invasive surgical technologies.”

He added, “We are committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce as we expand our presence in Georgia.”

The company said it will hire for jobs in manufacturing, production, distribution, engineering, sales, training, and customer service. It said it will post the positions on its corporate website as they become available.

Gov. Brian Kemp said in a release that “The Peach State continues to attract world-renowned companies like Intuitive, and this huge investment coming to the new Peachtree Corners campus will benefit hundreds of hardworking Georgians across metro Atlanta.”

A spokeswoman for the state said in an email that because the project is an active one, she could not comment on how much the company is expected to receive in government economic development incentives.

Katie Kirkpatrick, the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s chief executive, said Intuitive’s presence will strengthen the area’s existing cluster of biopharmaceutical, health information technology and medical device companies.