Human Factors Principal Scientist (Ph.D. or M.A./M.S.)
Exponent
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Job summary
Exponent is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead complex human factors investigations and provide strategic guidance across multiple industries in Farmington Hills, MI and other locations. You will mentor staff, publish thought leadership, and serve as a trusted advisor to clients while advancing product safety, user experience, and safety across systems.
The role requires 12+ years of experience, a Ph.D. in a related field or an M.A./M.S.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Human Factors or related field; M.A./M.S. considered with relevant experience.
- United States work authorization; no immigration sponsorship required.
- 12+ years in consulting, industry, research, or applied human factors.
- Expertise in human performance/decision‑making; human‑machine interaction; product safety; transportation HF; occupational safety; medical device HF; accident investigation.
- Strong publication record and recognized technical expertise.
- Experience managing large and complex projects.
- Proven client relationship management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to synthesize scientific information into practical business recommendations.
- Expert witness experience.
- Consulting experience in technical, engineering, scientific, or litigation‑support environments.
- Experience supporting matters involving product liability, transportation incidents, workplace injuries, or regulatory investigations.
- Record of generating and growing client relationships.
Responsibilities
- Lead multidisciplinary investigations involving human performance, perception, cognition, attention, decision‑making, ergonomics, and human behavior.
- Design and oversee human factors studies, experiments, simulations, evaluations, and risk assessments.
- Apply scientific methods to evaluate accident causation, product use, warnings and instructions, workplace safety, transportation systems, and consumer interactions.
- Direct project teams conducting data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Develop defensible technical opinions supported by scientific evidence and industry standards.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and their interaction with human users, including automation, autonomous systems, connected products, and AI‑enabled technologies.
- Serve as principal investigator and trusted advisor for key clients.
- Lead large, complex engagements from scoping through final deliverables.
- Present findings to executive leadership, legal counsel, regulators, insurers, and technical stakeholders.
- Translate complex technical concepts into clear and actionable recommendations.
- Evaluate human performance issues in accidents, incidents, and product liability.
- Develop expert analyses and reports.
- Support deposition and trial activities.
- Serve as an expert witness in areas aligned with technical expertise and experience.
- Develop business development strategies within Human Factors and adjacent practice areas.
- Build and maintain client relationships; identify cross‑practice opportunities; prepare proposals and budgets.
Skills
Education
Job description
Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges.
Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability.
Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team!
- 950+ Consultants
- 640+ Ph.D.s
- 90+ Disciplines
- 30+ Offices globally
We are currently seeking a Principal Scientist to join our Human Factors Practice in Farmington Hills, MI, Menlo Park, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, or Tampa, FL. Other locations may be considered. In this role, you will lead complex technical investigations, provide strategic guidance to clients, and develop innovative approaches to understanding human behavior, decision‑making, performance, and interaction with products, systems, and environments.
As a senior technical leader, you will be responsible for generating new business opportunities, mentoring junior staff, publishing thought leadership, and serving as a trusted advisor to clients across a diverse set of industries.
You will work at the intersection of science, safety, engineering, and litigation, applying rigorous human factors methodologies to help clients solve challenging problems involving product design, accidents, workplace safety, transportation systems, consumer products, medical devices, and emerging technologies.
- Lead multidisciplinary investigations involving human performance, perception, cognition, attention, decision‑making, ergonomics, and human behavior
- Design and oversee human factors studies, experiments, simulations, evaluations, and risk assessments
- Apply scientific methods to evaluate accident causation, product use, warnings and instructions, workplace safety, transportation systems, and consumer interactions
- Direct project teams conducting data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- Develop defensible technical opinions supported by scientific evidence and industry standards
- Evaluate emerging technologies and their interaction with human users, including automation, autonomous systems, connected products, and AI‑enabled technologies
- Serve as principal investigator and trusted advisor for key clients
- Lead large, complex engagements from scoping through final deliverables
- Present findings to executive leadership, legal counsel, regulators, insurers, and technical stakeholders
- Translate complex technical concepts into clear and actionable recommendations
- Evaluate human performance issues associated with accidents, incidents, and product liability matters
- Develop expert analyses and reports
- Support deposition and trial activities
- Serve as an expert witness in areas aligned with technical expertise and experience
- Develop and execute business development strategies within Human Factors and adjacent practice areas
- Build and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients
- Identify opportunities for cross‑practice collaboration
- Prepare proposals, statements of work, and project budgets
- Meet individual revenue and utilization objectives
- Publish technical papers, articles, and conference presentations
- Contribute to industry standards committees and professional organizations
- Enhance Exponent's reputation through external speaking engagements and technical leadership
- Mentor and develop consultants, associates, and senior scientists
- Assist with recruiting and talent development initiatives
- Foster collaboration across engineering, data science, biomechanics, UX, medical device, transportation, and safety disciplines
- Ph.D. in Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Ergonomics, Cognitive Engineering, Human Systems Integration, or a closely related discipline. M.A./M.S. with relevant experience will also be considered.
- Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing required
- 12+ years of relevant consulting, industry, research, or applied human factors experience
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
- Human performance and decision‑making
- Human‑machine interaction
- Product safety
- Transportation human factors
- Occupational safety
- Medical device human factors
- Accident investigation and reconstruction
- Strong publication record and recognized technical expertise
- Experience managing large and complex projects
- Proven client relationship management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to synthesize scientific information into practical business recommendations
- Expert witness experience
- Consulting experience within a technical, engineering, scientific, or litigation‑support environment
- Experience supporting matters involving product liability, transportation incidents, workplace injuries, or regulatory investigations
- Record of generating and growing client relationships resulting in sustained revenue growth
- Professional certifications or leadership roles in HFES, APA, SAE, AAMI, or related organizations
To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:
- https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent
- https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact
We value and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion across all facets of our firm. Having a team built of people with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.
Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well‑being. We believe that providing competitive benefits, as well as compensation and recognition programs, empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.
At Exponent, we have found that in‑person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi‑disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in‑person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.
We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well‑being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients.
Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Manager level and above, total compensation includes base salary, annual bonus, and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.
The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities, which will be assessed during the interview process.
USD $232,500.00 - USD $295,000.00 /Yr.
Access benefits information on our Life @ Exponent page:
- https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent
- https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact
Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at HR-Accommodations@exponent.com .
- US-CA-Menlo Park
- US-FL-Tampa
- US-PA-Philadelphia
- US-NY-New York
- US-AZ-Phoenix
- US-MI-Farmington Hills
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