Design Human Factors Researcher, Apple Design Team

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock programs

Discretionary bonuses or commissions

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Apple Design Team is seeking a Design Researcher focused on human factors for physical hardware products. The role involves running studies, analyzing data, and translating findings into actionable design insights.

Ideal candidates balance technical rigor with intuition, work closely with designers and engineers, and can communicate complex results clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience planning, conducting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative human factors research.
• Ability to communicate complex research data and insights through visuals and summaries.
• Hands-on experience with physical data collection methods (motion capture, anthropometry, pressure mapping, biomechanics).
• Experience evaluating user interactions with physical hardware or wearables.
• BS/BA in related field; advanced degree preferred.
• In lieu of a degree, 10+ years of industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct user research studies to inform early concepts and validate designs.
• Advocate for user needs, ergonomics, and accessibility across diverse populations.
• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, including physical and behavioral measurements.
• Present research findings clearly using experimental data and statistics.
• Partner with Industrial Design, Product Design Engineering, and cross-functional teams.
• Lead the design and execution of generative and evaluative research for hardware programs.
• Stay current on research methods, ergonomic standards, and relevant literature.
• Prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Communication of insights

Human factors methods

Education

BS/BA in Human Factors/Ergonomics/HCI/Biomechanics/Cognitive Psychology

Master’s or PhD preferred

10+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Motion capture

Biomechanical testing

Job description

Design Human Factors Researcher, Apple Design Team

Industrial Design (ID) at Apple focuses on the physical hardware experience, encompassing color, materials, finishes, digital sculpting, rendering, and physical prototyping. The discipline sits at the intersection of nearly every major function at the company, working seamlessly with Product Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Human Interface Design, and Human Factors to bring ideas to life.The Apple Design Team is seeking a Human Factors Design Researcher. This is a fast-paced, collaborative position where you will need to understand how and who to work with to orchestrate a program plan and successfully manage execution of that plan. This individual will work with a variety of individuals both within and outside the Design team.

Description

An ideal candidate has a strong foundation in human factors research and understands how people interact with physical products. They can work across both high-level design concepts and detailed technical specifications. They are comfortable working directly with designers and engineers, communicate clearly, and ask the right questions to gather honest feedback. They balance technical rigor with strong intuition, translating research data into clear insights that improve the product experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct user research studies (including physical prototype testing, anthropometric measurements, and usability evaluations) to inform early concepts and validate designs.
• Advocate for user needs, ergonomics, and accessibility across diverse populations throughout the design process.
• Collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, including physical and behavioral measurements.
• Present research findings clearly and visually using experimental data and statistical analysis.
• Partner closely with Industrial Design, Product Design Engineering, Human Interface, and other cross-functional teams.
• Lead the design and execution of generative and evaluative research studies across hardware programs.
• Stay current on research methods, ergonomic standards, competitor products, and relevant literature.
• Prioritize and manage work across multiple concurrent projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience planning, conducting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative human factors research.
• Ability to communicate complex research data and insights through clear visuals and concise summaries.
• Hands-on experience with physical human data collection methods (such as motion capture, anthropometry, pressure mapping, or biomechanical testing).
• Experience evaluating user interactions with physical hardware or wearable products.
• BS/BA in Human Factors, Ergonomics, HCI, Biomechanics, Cognitive Psychology, or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• In lieu of a degree, 10+ years of relevant industry experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong appreciation for physical design, aesthetics, and hardware details.
• Clear communication skills, with experience presenting technical findings to cross-functional partners and design leads.
• Experience working closely with industrial designers and engineers in a hands-on studio environment.
• Practical problem-solving skills when addressing complex or undefined design challenges.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
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Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.