Research and Development in Healthcare needs to focus on cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving strategies ensuring that products are safe, reliable and effective for patients by setting and following strict quality controls during development and after the product is released.
Vidya Vasudeva Rao, our next pathbreaker, Software Quality Engineer at Intuitive (California), works with engineering teams to embed quality and safety requirements in Multiport Surgical Robotic Systems which are used in minimally invasive surgery.
Vidya talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how she was exposed to a career in quality and regulatory compliance through an opportunity to work at Eko, a startup that develops smart stethoscopes.
For students, Biomedical Engineering is a rapidly growing field full of potential. So, adapt to this dynamic world, and stay on top of latest technologies !
Vidya, Your background?
My story begins not in the bustling heart of Bengaluru, but about 70 kilometers away, in a city called Tumkur. I grew up there, in a home filled with three generations: my parents, my younger brother, and my grandparents. Looking back, I realize what an immense blessing it was to have such a stable, secure childhood.
My father, a Gold Medalist in Civil Engineering, served the Government of Karnataka as an Executive Engineer. He was an extremely brilliant man, especially with math, and a Gazetted officer with a demanding schedule. Yet, the memories that stand out aren’t of his busyness, but of his presence. He chose to spend his time with us, weaving fascinating stories and possessing a rare gift for making even the most complex math concepts feel simple. My mother was the heart of our home, an epitome of patience and tireless hard work. Though she was a BCom graduate, she dedicated herself to managing our bustling household—caring for me, my brother, and my paternal grandparents, all while finding time to support her own parents and even run a small part-time business. She was a wonderful cook, and our lives were fueled by food that was as delicious as it was healthy. It was my mother who, with her keen eye, saw the sparks of talent in me and took it upon herself to shape my future.
My entire school life, right through pre-university, was in Tumkur. Academics came naturally, and I was a topper throughout my schooling, a journey that culminated in securing the 2nd rank for Tumkur and 9th rank in the Karnataka state SSLC (10th board) exams. My teachers played a great role in showering their knowledge and guiding all along. But my parents ensured my world was far bigger than textbooks. My mom saw my interest in music and dance and enrolled me in classes for both. She and my maternal grandfather were my constant shadows, taking me to every class, competition, and show. My passion for music grew, and I soon went from learning to competing, winning many prizes along the way. This path even led me to a reality show called ‘Little Star Singer,’ where I won the runner-up title. Alongside music, I also learned the graceful art of Bharatanatyam.
My curiosity felt boundless. My younger brother was instrumental in driving me to learn more so that I could share those with him. We both share a lot of such great moments which shaped the way we thought and gained knowledge from all areas. I wrote every competitive exam I could—Sanskrit certifications, exams on the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and Science & Math Olympiads, securing ranks in those as well. My love for these subjects was sparked by the stories my grandparents, my teachers told me. Listening to them recount tales from mythology and history wasn’t just entertainment; it instilled in me a deep foundation of values.
Science and Math fascinated me. As I grew older, two core desires became clear. First, I felt a strong pull to help people and make a direct, positive impact on society.
Second, I was fascinated by the intersection of different fields. I truly believe the world needs more people with an interdisciplinary skillset. When it came time to choose a path, all these threads of my life—my love for science, my deep-rooted values, and my interest in complex, interconnected systems—wove together. It was this combination that made me choose to pursue a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology Engineering.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
My academic journey began in earnest when I earned a place at R V College of Engineering, the #1 engineering college in Karnataka. Just getting admitted felt like a victory, and I was determined to dive into every opportunity. I chose Biotechnology, a field that resonated with me and felt like the future. The work was demanding, but it clicked. I immersed myself in the concepts, the labs, and every project I could get my hands on, and that dedication led me to graduate at the top of my class with the 1st Rank and a Gold Medal. But I knew that true understanding wasn’t just in textbooks. I needed to see this science in the real world.
I hunted down two very different internships to explore the possibilities. The first, at a company called Stemputics, plunged me into the futuristic world of stem cell technology. It was my first taste of how this science could one day change medicine. The second was a prestigious Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship that took me to NISER in Bhubaneswar. This was a complete deep dive. I found myself in the field of Neuroendocrinology, studying the intricate dance of dopamine reactions within a fish’s brain.
My fascination with biotechnology had solidified into a career-defining passion, specifically for the broader world of Biomedical Engineering. Immediately after my bachelor’s, I was accepted into the Master’s in Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.
Though I didn’t get any scholarship for my Masters, I did get a summer research fellowship from Indian Academy of Sciences and I was given a paid research internship opportunity at NISER, Bhubaneswar during my Bachelors.
What were some of the influences that led you to a career in Biomedical Engineering??
I’ve always been drawn to the big picture—how all the pieces of a problem fit together. Healthcare felt like the right place to make a meaningful impact, and I was convinced the most exciting breakthroughs would come from blending technology with biology. There’s a Leonardo da Vinci line I love: “Realize that everything connects to everything else.” That idea stuck with me. I believe that we need people who see those connections to make sure new products are not only innovative but safe and truly helpful.
At first, I didn’t even know what this path was called. In my family, careers were traditional, and we didn’t know anyone working in this space. My parents and my younger brother dove in with me—asking friends, who asked their friends—until we found it: Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering. That was our “aha” moment. I set my sights on a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering.
My education taught me more than the “what” of science; it showed me the “how”—how science becomes real products that change lives. That became crystal clear during my master’s program at USC, where I discovered the perfect niche for me: Regulatory Affairs and Quality Engineering.
I was hooked. The role sits at the crossroads of science, technology, and policy—the exact kind of puzzle I love. I chose it as my focus and landed an internship at a Bay Area startup. That’s where everything clicked. I wasn’t just studying the field anymore; I was doing the work—helping ensure new medical products are safe and effective.
Through it all, my husband has been a steady pillar of support. His encouragement helped lay my foundation early on (when we were friends), and he continues to be my strongest motivator as I grow.
Tell us about your career path
I got a Graduate Student Internship opportunity at Keck School of Medicine, USC to work on Process Improvement by reducing call abandonment rates by applying Lean Operations Techniques and Quality Principle to improve the effectiveness of calls so that it can improve the care outcome and timing.
As a professional internship during summer & spring semesters, I worked at a small company in Livermore called MD Resource and this made everything clear. MD Resource had very few employees and they worked on medical devices with a focus on liposuction surgical products and supplies for the aesthetic market. Because the company was so small, I had to jump in and do real work like an employee rather than an intern. I learned what the job was really like and how important it was. I worked on all aspects of Quality focusing on design control, risk management, production & process control, supplier control, CAPA, Complaints, management control etc and faced, handled audits. It wasn’t just schoolwork anymore. I wasn’t scared; I was sure. I knew this was the career for me.
With my new confidence, I started my job search and was hired as a Quality Engineer at Eko Health. They were making smart stethoscopes, which I thought was fascinating. These smart stethoscopes are a medical technology designed to augment the precision, efficacy and accessibility of healthcare diagnostics. Integrating sensors, digital signal processing, wireless connectivity, software algorithms and artificial intelligence, smart stethoscopes offer enhanced capabilities to healthcare providers.
When I started, I was only the 12th employee. In such a small company, you don’t just follow rules—you help create them. It was an amazing chance to learn. I helped build the whole quality system from scratch.
A huge part of my job was handling official inspections (audits) from the US FDA and European regulators. These bodies check if a company is following safety laws; if you pass, you get certified, but if you fail, you get ‘findings’ (penalties). I played a key role in hosting these audits, and my work ensured we passed them successfully. I also helped the company get FDA clearance for its products. It was a lot to juggle—handling both hardware and software tasks—but it taught me how to prioritize what mattered most.
I found out that I really liked the auditing process and even got a special certification to become a Lead Auditor.
Through it all, I was lucky to have a manager who supported and encouraged me. My time at Eko taught me how to handle pressure and how to make my work truly matter.
After three rewarding years at Eko, my curiosity pulled me toward a new challenge. I wanted to explore the field of diagnostics, so I made the move to Cepheid, a Danaher company. Cepheid is a molecular diagnostics company that develops rapid, automated testing systems. It makes the GeneXpert system, which performs PCR testing for infectious diseases, genetics, and cancer. I joined as a Quality Engineer and worked on diagnostic kits used for infectious disease detection and cancer detection. My time there was brief but valuable, giving me critical experience in the In vitro Diagnostics (IVD) space, which I quickly learned is a very different world from medical devices.
That experience at Cepheid was the key that unlocked my next step. After seeing both the device and diagnostic spaces, I found my true niche: Software Quality Engineering.
This strategic pivot led me to an incredible opportunity at Verily Life Sciences (Alphabet’s healthcare arm, formerly Google Life Sciences). Verily operates at the intersection of research, care, and public health, using advanced data analytics to create personalized health solutions.
The scale at Verily was vastly different from my startup days. I worked across a diverse portfolio ranging from regulated medical devices to non-medical platforms. I immersed myself in Google’s world-class infrastructure, focusing on software quality for Clinical Trial Management Systems and personalized medicine research & care modules by applying principles of CSV/CSA, IEC 62304. After nearly four years of honing my software expertise in this rigorous environment, I took the next logical step in my career by joining Intuitive Surgical, the global leader in robotic surgery.
How did you get your first break?
Eko was my first break!
My first real break came from a crucial combination: “specialized education and practical, hands-on experience.”
It happened in two main steps:
1. Finding My Niche: During my Master’s at USC, I didn’t just study general biomedical engineering. I found and focused on a very specific major: Regulatory Affairs and Quality Engineering. This showed I had a clear career path in mind.
2. Getting Real-World Experience: The most important step was my internship at MD Resource, a small startup. Because the company was tiny, I wasn’t just making copies or watching. I was doing the actual, important work of a regulatory and quality professional.
So, when I started applying for full-time jobs, I wasn’t just another recent graduate. I was a specialist who already had real-world proof that I could do the job. That combination is what allowed me to get my “first break” as a Quality Engineer at Eko Health. They were a small startup and needed someone who could jump in and contribute immediately, and my internship experience showed I was ready for that.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
The first challenge was choosing a career path that was completely new to my community. Since I didn’t have any examples in my family to follow, I had to figure out every step on my own. When you do something different, it often feels like you are swimming against the current. I heard many demotivating statements that made me question my decision. But my family was my support system. They lifted me up whenever I felt sad or confused. Their motivation helped me cross every hurdle and build a successful career.
The second challenge was navigating the chaotic environment of an early-stage startup. Joining Eko as just the 12th employee meant working without a safety net. I wasn’t just maintaining a system; I had to build the entire Quality Management System from scratch with a consultant, while simultaneously ‘wearing multiple hats’ to support both hardware and software lines. It was a high-pressure balancing act, but I was determined to do it right. I invested in my own education to become a Certified Lead Auditor, learned to prioritize ruthlessly with the help of a supportive manager, and ultimately led the company to successfully clear its audits and gain its certifications.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I currently work at Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA in Software Quality Engineering. I work in software quality engineering on Multiport Surgical Robotic Systems which are used in minimally invasive surgery. It is a very complex technology and needs a lot of attention to detail. In my role, I ensure our products are safe, reliable, and effective for patients by setting and following strict quality controls during development and after the product is released.
What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire the skills?
The primary challenge in Quality is bridging the gap between abstract requirements and practical execution. Global standards like ISO 13485 and the FDA QSR tell us what to do, but rarely how. My combined background of continuous education and hands-on experience has given me the unique skill set to practically interpret these complex rules, ensuring our business remains compliant while accelerating product development and sustaining activities.
Whats a typical day like?
I work at the critical intersection of compliance and product development. My primary focus is cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving with engineering teams to embed quality and safety requirements into every step of the software development lifecycle. I provide official quality oversight by reviewing and signing off on all technical documentation. Additionally, I develop forward-looking quality strategies for new products and actively monitor post-market data to ensure continued product reliability and patient safety.
What is it you love about this job?
What I love most about this job is the unique position it offers at the heart of innovation.
● The Technical Challenge: I am highly motivated by the sheer complexity of the work, especially when operating on the embedded software for such a world-class, cutting-edge medical technology. It ensures I am constantly challenged and never stagnant.
● The Critical Impact: I thrive on being intricately involved in product development, ensuring that innovation is also responsible. I love viewing every challenge through the critical lens of Quality, knowing that my work directly translates into the safety and reliability of a product for a patient.
● The Intellectual Stimulation: The job provides a truly dynamic environment that is impossible to get bored in. I enjoy the dual focus of needing to master deep quality standards while simultaneously staying attuned to the rapid advancements that are shaping the future of medicine.
It is this combination—of rigorous compliance and contributing to highly complex, world-changing technology, that makes coming to work incredibly rewarding and keeps me intellectually stimulated every day.
How does your work benefit society?
My job directly benefits society by providing care for patient health and safety. I ensure complex, world-class medical technology from embedded software to finished devices is rigorously compliant, effective, and reliable. This work minimizes risk and ensures innovative tools can be safely and effectively used to improve and save lives, ultimately benefiting the healthcare system as a whole.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
Out of respect for the proprietary nature of my previous work, I will keep the specific details high-level. However, two particular experiences stand out as career-defining.
The first was transitioning from preparation to defense during a critical audit at Eko. I managed the dynamic between the front and back rooms, ultimately helping the company secure its ISO 13485 certification. The second was my first experience as a certified Lead Auditor, where I traveled internationally to perform a full-scope QMS assessment of a supplier. Both experiences were high-pressure environments where I was able to deliver successful outcomes.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
I would advise students to be brave, think outside the box, and dare to pursue uncommon career paths because I truly believe that where there is a will, there is a way.
Biomedical Engineering is a rapidly growing field full of potential. My recommendation is to network, build connections, and pursue internships and projects to determine if this path is right for you. Adapt to this dynamic world, stay on top of the latest technology, and remember: being true to your work and yourself will take you a long way.
Future Plans?
I am looking to further my impact in healthcare in three key areas. First, bringing innovative solutions to market with a focus on safety and efficacy. Second, mentoring aspiring students by providing the practical training and guidance they need to succeed. Finally, I want to tackle the long-standing challenges at the intersection of technology and regulation to help modernize the industry.