Human Factors Research Scientist – PPE Innovation

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 146,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

3M is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to lead usability, ergonomics, and performance studies across respiratory, eye, hearing, head, and fall protection PPE products. You will develop plans, run studies, and translate results into actionable product requirements.

This role emphasizes collaboration with engineers, designers, data scientists, and regulatory teams to drive safe, user-centered innovations. Experience designing and validating methods for comfort, fit, and user acceptance is

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (completed and verified prior to start) in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Design Research, User Experience Research
• Three (3) years of experience conducting human-subjects research in an industrial, academic, healthcare, consumer product, medical device, in a private, public, government or military environment
• Advanced degree in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Psychology, Biomechanics, Cognitive Science, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline

Responsibilities

• Design and execute human factors, usability, comfort, fit, and performance studies for respiratory, eye, hearing, head, fall protection, and other safety products.
• Develop research plans, protocols, and experimental methods for laboratory and field research with end users.
• Conduct formative and summative usability studies and translate findings into actionable product and design requirements.
• Develop and validate methods supporting product performance, ergonomics, comfort, fit, and user-acceptance claims.
• Collect and analyze qualitative, quantitative, biomechanical, physiological, perceptual, and behavioral data.
• Apply statistical analysis and data visualization to communicate insights, risks, and recommendations to technical and business stakeholders.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, engineers, industrial designers, data scientists, software developers, regulatory specialists, customers, and safety professionals.

Skills

Human factors engineering

Ergonomics

Kinesiology

Biomechanics

Psychology

Industrial engineering

Biomedical engineering

Design research

User experience research

Education

Bachelor's degree (completed and verified prior to start) in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Design Research, User Experience Research

Advanced degree in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Psychology, Biomechanics, Cognitive Science, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Minitab

R

JMP

Job description

3M is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to lead usability, ergonomics, and performance studies across respiratory, eye, hearing, head, and fall protection PPE products. You will develop plans, run studies, and translate results into actionable product requirements.

This role emphasizes collaboration with engineers, designers, data scientists, and regulatory teams to drive safe, user-centered innovations. Experience designing and validating methods for comfort, fit, and user acceptance is