Human Factors Engineer

The Human Factors Engineer works closely with fellow UX team interaction designers visual designers and industrial designers. Within the project team the Human Factors Engineer collaborates with clinical engineers system and software engineers technical product managers among other important functional teams. The Human Factors Engineer is a key contributor to inform and guide development of new products and ensure that those products are feasible viable and desirable. 

As member of new and sustaining product-development project teams the Human Factors Engineer collaborates within a creative and structured process to conduct user research analyze and characterize use-related risks and conduct usability testing of products prior to launch. They have primary responsibility for evaluating product designs with end-user test participants creating usability risk analyses and conducting final usability validation studies and reports. The Human Factors Engineer also works closely with the regulatory quality and design controls groups to create the usability engineering documentation required for submission to medical device regulatory agencies. 

This particular role of Human Factors Engineer may be assigned to any one of four related yet distinct business units that are focused on specific product platforms and/or services within Intuitive. The Human Factors Engineer would report to the Human Factors Manager of the Human Factors team within the specific business unit. Brief description of each business units is as follows. 

• Digital Business Unit: Work within the HF team on the Digital products and Services platform focuses on User Experience with software and web-based products that are integrated with all the Intuitive products. 

• ION System Business Unit: The HF team within the ION Platform supports development of an emerging and developing product for systems software and instruments with specialized users in the pulmonary/ endoluminal treatment modalities. 

• Da Vinci Multiport RAS Business Unit: HF teams in the Multiport group support a wide array of multi-generational products and services touching all aspects of the product portfolio including the robotic systems instruments and accessories focused on the user interface workflow and safety. 

• Da Vinci Single Port RAS Business Unit: The HF team in the Da Vinci SP platform work in similar ways as the Multiport team supporting new and sustaining product development on a growing and emerging product platform exploring and expanding into new RAS treatment areas. 

What you will Do 

Research 

• Collect and synthesize detailed insights on how users interact with Intuitive products through various techniques including interviews simulations direct observations task analyses and persona development. 

Design 

• Contribute to workflow and user interface designs and negotiate design recommendations to mitigate use errors and improve usability. 

• Gather data and evidence for defining requirements related to the clinical caregiver experience for safety and usability with understanding of the nuance and balance of user/customer needs and business needs. 

• Contribute to the revision of usability requirements documents. 

Test 

• Design execute and report on usability (human factors) evaluations and tests at various stages of product development from early prototypes to formal External Standards-mandated validation testing in US and OUS market environments. 

• Interface and associate with end-user customers in multiple international markets to gather design insights in a highly professional manner during complex workflow-oriented usability testing and user research activities. 

Analyze 

• In collaboration with team members create and revise documents in a timely manner for multiple projects. (i.e. task analysis usability risk analysis external complaints summaries use specifications test reports/root cause analyses). 

• Compile organize and assess results of field observations and research surveys and usability testing into transferable data formats. 

• Synthesize complex information into internal communications and presentations for product teams and broader organization leadership audiences. 

Sustain and Improve 

• Analyze complaints from on-market products update usability risk assessment and escalate usability-related issues as necessary. 

• Keep current of MDR regulations and best practices for medical device human factors (e.g. IEC 62366 AAMI HE75 FDA Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices) and advise management regarding potential improvements to internal processes and regulatory issues related to usability engineering. 

Collaborate 

• Represent the Human Factors function on project teams. 

• Coordinate human factors efforts across projects involving several sub-systems. 

• Support usability-engineering activities within development projects and provide status to technical product managers and engineering project managers. 

Qualifications :

What you bring 

• Minimum Education: BS in Human Factors Engineering Cognitive Psychology Computer Science with human-computer interface (HCI) emphasis Human Centered Design or related field. MS strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelors degree; or 3 years and a Masters degree; or a relevant PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience (relevant usability and/or technical experience). 

• Experience in medical device product development within a design controls process (or similar highly regulated industry) is of significant value. 

• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills working within a highly saturated communication environment using multiple communication channels (email text video conference instant messaging platforms) 

• Experience working with Digital project collaboration tools is appreciated. (e.g. Mural or Batterii Smarsheets etc) 

• Demonstrated ability to apply user-centered design and usability engineering principles to product research development and design in a fast-paced product development environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and across various cross-functional teams within the organization such as engineering groups marketing clinical engineering and regulatory to solve complex usability issues involving detailed risk analysis. 

• Ability to travel internationally as well as domestically (up to 20%) 1 week a quarter: local hospital or customers in other parts of the country. 

Additional Information :

Due to the nature of our business and the role please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race sex pregnancy sexual orientation gender identity national origin color age religion protected veteran or disability status genetic information or any other status protected under federal state or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 743.13(b)) some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the governments licensing process can take 3 to 6 months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (TCP) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employeesstart date which may or may not be flexible and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside or plan to reside in Alabama Arkansas Delaware Florida Indiana Iowa Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina or Tennessee.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages inclusive of base pay incentives benefits and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role as actual pay will be determined based on several factors including experience skills and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time