Human Factors Lead Research Scientist

Honeywell Aerospace; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Educational assistance

Job summary

Honeywell Aerospace is seeking a Human Factors Lead Research Scientist to drive aviation-focused human factors research and apply methodologies to improve safety, usability, and performance of flight decks and aerospace systems. The role involves on-site work with flight simulators and close collaboration with pilots, engineers, and product managers.

The position requires extensive hands-on experience in human factors research within high-technology aerospace environments, strong analytical and

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on human factors research in aerospace or related high-technology environment.
• 1+ year applying human factors methods, evaluation techniques, and analyses in aviation or mission-critical environments.
• Experience independently designing, planning, and executing human factors studies including logistics and data collection.
• Authoring research documentation such as IRB protocols, consent forms, study plans, and technical reports.
• Hands-on expertise in experimental design, simulation-based studies, and quantitative analysis.
• Strong technical writing and analytical thinking grounded in human-factors principles.
• Ability to communicate complex findings to technical and operational audiences.
• Proficiency with data analysis/visualization tools (R, SPSS, MATLAB, Python).
• Experience with HF engineering, usability testing, ergonomic assessments for aerospace systems.
• Knowledge of HF regulatory standards and ensuring study designs meet compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead human factors research and development activities aligned with company goals.
• Design and conduct experiments and usability studies to evaluate aerospace system interfaces and controls.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate human factors into product development.
• Design, test, and certify flight decks look, feel, and operational behavior.
• Utilize human factors methodologies to evaluate cognitive, interactive, ergonomic, and HMI attributes of flight decks.
• Develop test plans, study protocols, and technical reports meeting industry standards.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership and regulators.
• Collaborate with pilots, designers, and systems engineers to align flight deck interfaces with pilot capabilities.
• Identify emerging technologies to increase aviation safety.
• Support design requirements for flight crew interface changes and enhancements.
• Contribute to human-centered design for FAA safety, performance, modernization goals.
• Work with test pilots, avionics communities, and regulators.
• Respond to government funding solicitations and work on government contracts.
• Submit patent applications, academic publications, and share technical knowledge.

Skills

Human factors research

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Technical writing

Flight deck usability

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Human Factors

Tools

R

SPSS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Description

As a Human Factors Lead Research Scientist at Honeywell Aerospace, you will lead critical research initiatives focused on human factors engineering within the aerospace domain. You will apply your expertise to develop innovative solutions that enhance safety, usability, and performance in aerospace systems. You will work on‑site with fixed‑wing, rotorcraft flight simulators and flight testing, and collaborate with engineers, researchers, and product managers to integrate human factors into product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead human factors research and development activities aligned with company goals.
• Design and conduct experiments and usability studies to evaluate aerospace system interfaces and controls.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate human factors considerations into product development.
• Design, test, and certify the look, feel, and operational behavior of flight decks.
• Utilize human factors methodologies to evaluate cognitive, interactive, ergonomic, and behavioral attributes of flight decks.
• Develop and execute research designs, including study objectives, hypotheses, variables, and data collection parameters.
• Conduct human performance, workload, situational awareness, and human‑machine interaction research.
• Conduct user evaluations and testing in full‑flight simulators and flight test aircraft.
• Collect, manage, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpret results to identify trends and implications for system performance and operator effectiveness.
• Develop test plans, study protocols, and technical reports that meet industry standards.
• Present findings to technical and non‑technical audiences, including leadership and regulators.
• Collaborate with pilots, designers, and systems engineers to align flight deck interfaces with pilot capabilities.
• Identify emerging technologies to increase aviation safety.
• Support design requirements for flight crew interface changes and enhancements.
• Contribute to human‑centered design recommendations for FAA safety, performance, and modernization goals.
• Work closely with test pilots, avionics communities, and regulators.
• Respond to government funding solicitations and work on government research contracts.
• Submit patent applications, academic publications, and share technical knowledge.

Qualifications

YOU MUST HAVE

• Minimum of 6+ years of hands‑on human factors research experience in aerospace or a related high‑technology environment.
• 1+ year of industry experience applying human factors research methods, operational evaluation techniques, and statistical analyses in applied aviation or mission‑critical environments.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing, planning, and executing human factors studies, including full lifecycle management of logistics, participant interactions, and data collection.
• Proven ability to author all research documentation, including IRB protocols, consent forms, study plans, technical reports, and proposal/bid materials.
• Hands‑on expertise in experimental design, simulation‑based studies, quantitative analysis, and interpreting complex research outputs.
• Advanced technical writing and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to create clear, defensible documentation and deliverables grounded in human‑factors principles.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex human factors findings to both technical and operational audiences.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., R, SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or similar).
• Applied experience with human factors engineering, usability testing, and ergonomic assessments specifically for aerospace systems, interfaces, or operational equipment.
• Proficiency with human factors analysis tools, simulation software, and aerospace regulatory standards, with experience ensuring study designs and outputs meet compliance requirements.

WE VALUE

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Human Factors, UX/UI Design, Engineering, Psychology, or a related field.
• Previous in‑person research experience collecting human subject data from a flight simulator.
• Experience supporting FAA programs or research related to flight deck avionics, operations, NAS, or air traffic management.
• Familiarity with human‑in‑the‑loop simulation environments and human performance modeling.
• Experience integrating human factors principles into system engineering, safety analysis, or concept development.
• Knowledge of FAA Human Factors Design Standard (HF-STD‑001) or related regulatory and research guidance.
• Previous experience collecting human subject data from experiments on complex technologies (AI, augmented/virtual reality, speech technology, automated systems).
• Pilot certification or experience.
• Human Subjects Research Certification (e.g., CITI certification).
• Publications or presentations in peer‑reviewed human factors or aviation research forums.
• Strong skills in proposal writing.
• Experience leading cross‑disciplinary teams and managing complex R&D projects.
• Knowledge of cognitive engineering, system safety, and human‑machine interface design.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and certification processes.
• Passion for innovation and continuous learning in human factors and aerospace technologies.

Benefits

• Employer‑subsidized medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.
• Employee assistance program and educational assistance.
• Parental leave and 12 paid holidays.
• Paid time off for vacation, personal and sick time.

Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com/

About Us

Join a company that is reintroducing itself to the aviation community we have helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we are launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission‑focused execution. Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world’s aircraft, your work here has reach that is rare to find anywhere else. Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we are shaping what comes next.

US Persons Requirement

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, the candidate must be a U.S. person, defined as a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or someone with protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.