Human Factors Engineer

Real; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid leave

Job summary

Real is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to support the design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems. You will apply human-centered design across the product lifecycle, performing needs analyses, workflow assessments, and task analyses to ensure safety and effectiveness for surgeons and OR staff.

You will collaborate with engineers, clinicians, regulatory, and medical affairs to evaluate workflows, assess cognitive workload, and generate actionable usability improvements

Qualifications

• Required – Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Ergonomics, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of experience in human factors, usability engineering, medical devices, healthcare technology, or related industries.
• Experience designing and conducting usability studies and user research.
• Strong knowledge of human-centered design principles and risk-based usability engineering.
• Experience analyzing user performance data and translating findings into design recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems through human-centered design throughout the product lifecycle.
• Apply human factors methods, conduct needs analyses, workflow assessments, and task analyses.
• Identify use-related hazards and contribute to risk management activities.
• Develop use scenarios, critical task analyses, and usability requirements.
• Generate design recommendations from user feedback and observational research.
• Support formative and summative usability testing per FDA and international guidance.
• Collaborate with robotics engineers, surgeons, and clinical teams to evaluate workflows.
• Assess surgeon interaction with device elements and supporting technologies.
• Evaluate cognitive workload, user performance, and procedural efficiency during simulations.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve usability, safety, and surgeon experience.
• Design, coordinate, and execute cadaver-based usability studies and validation activities.
• Facilitate simulations involving surgeons, fellows, residents, and OR staff.
• Collect performance metrics, observational data, and participant feedback.
• Analyze user interactions to identify usability challenges and opportunities.
• Manage study logistics, documentation, equipment, and protocols in lab settings.
• Ensure biosafety, laboratory, and ethical research compliance.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from usability studies.
• Develop study reports, executive summaries, and design recommendations.
• Present findings to cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Support regulatory documentation including Human Factors Engineering reports, validation plans, and risk assessments.

Skills

Human Factors Engineering

Usability Engineering

User Research

Surgical Robotics

Cadaver Lab Operations

Simulation-Based Research

Task Analysis

Risk Analysis

Design Validation

Clinical Research

Ergonomics

Cross-Functional Leadership

Medical Device Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Psychology

Bachelor's degree in Ergonomics

Related field

Tools

Video coding tools

Observational research tools

Statistical analysis software

Job description

Support the design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems by applying human‑centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle. This role partners closely with engineering, clinical, design, regulatory, and medical affairs teams to ensure robotic technologies are safe, intuitive, and effective for surgeons and operating room staff.

Human Factors & Usability Engineering

• Apply human factors engineering methodologies throughout medical device development programs.
• Conduct user needs analyses, contextual inquiries, workflow assessments, and task analyses.
• Identify use‑related hazards and contribute to risk management activities.
• Develop use scenarios, critical task analyses, and usability requirements.
• Generate design recommendations based on user feedback and observational research.
• Support formative and summative usability testing activities in accordance with FDA and international human factors guidance.

Surgical Robotics Evaluation

• Collaborate with robotics engineers, systems engineers, surgeons, and clinical teams to evaluate robotic‑assisted surgical workflows.
• Assess surgeon interaction with key device elements and supporting technologies.
• Evaluate cognitive workload, user performance, and procedural efficiency during simulated procedures.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve system usability, safety, and surgeon experience.

Cadaver Lab & Simulation Research

• Design, coordinate, and execute cadaver‑based usability studies and validation activities.
• Facilitate simulations involving surgeons, fellows, residents, surgical technologists, and operating room personnel.
• Collect performance metrics, observational data, video recordings, and participant feedback during procedures.
• Analyze user interactions under realistic surgical conditions to identify usability challenges and design opportunities.
• Manage study logistics, documentation, equipment setup, and protocol execution within laboratory environments.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety, laboratory, and ethical research procedures.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from usability studies.
• Develop study reports, executive summaries, and design recommendations.
• Present findings to cross‑functional stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Support regulatory documentation including Human Factors Engineering reports, validation plans, and risk assessments.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with:
  • Systems Engineering
  • Clinical Affairs
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • Quality Engineering
  • Industrial Design
  • Software Development
  • Marketing and Product Management
• Serve as the voice of the user throughout product development efforts.
• Influence product strategy through evidence‑based usability insights.

Qualifications

• Required – Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Ergonomics, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of experience in human factors, usability engineering, medical devices, healthcare technology, or related industries.
• Experience designing and conducting usability studies and user research.
• Strong knowledge of human‑centered design principles and risk‑based usability engineering.
• Experience analyzing user performance data and translating findings into design recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Preferred – Master's degree in Human Factors Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Ergonomics, or related discipline.
• Experience supporting medical device development programs.
• Familiarity with FDA human factors guidance and IEC 62366.
• Experience with robotic‑assisted surgical systems or advanced surgical technologies.
• Hands‑on experience conducting cadaver labs, simulated surgical procedures, or operating room workflow studies.
• Knowledge of surgical anatomy, minimally invasive surgery, or operating room environments.
• Experience using video coding, observational research, and statistical analysis tools.

Desired Skills

• Human Factors Engineering
• Usability Testing
• User Research
• Surgical Robotics
• Cadaver Lab Operations
• Simulation‑Based Research
• Task Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• Design Validation
• Clinical Research
• Ergonomics
• Data Analysis
• Cross‑Functional Leadership
• Medical Device Development

EOE Statement: Specialist Staffing Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for benefits such as health insurance, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, and paid leave where required by applicable law. Eligibility may vary based on factors such as location and hire date and is subject to change.