Senior Prof, Human Factors Engineering, Flight Deck Design

PDS Tech Commercial; Wichita (KS); Hybrid; USD 262,729,000 - 335,998,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans (medical, dental, life

Retirement savings plan

Employee Assistance Program

Telehealth Program

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial, in partnership with a global aviation leader, seeks a Senior Professional in Human Factors Engineering for Flight Deck Design in Wichita. You will shape cockpit usability, safety, and pilot experience through cognitive ergonomics and user-centered design.

Role involves designing, evaluating, and supporting certification of flight deck HMIs; collaborating across programs and engaging with flight crews for usability insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science.
• Training in Cognitive Ergonomics, Psychology, Industrial Design, or equivalent.
• ~10 years of experience in cognitive ergonomics and human factors in aerospace.
• Understanding of cognition, perception, decision-making, workload, situational awareness, and human error.
• Experience with aerospace systems, flight operations, and regulatory environments.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD, SAE ARP, ARINC design and aviation standards.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication in English; French is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic engineering environment.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and capable of working independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Apply cognitive ergonomics to design, test, and analyze HMI.
• Support requirements development, task analysis, and human error analysis.
• Develop flight deck simulations, prototypes, and usability models.
• Plan and execute human factors evaluations, experiments, and validation activities.
• Conduct scenario-based flight deck and UX evaluations aligned with aircraft philosophy.
• Engage directly with flight crews to assess cockpit usability.
• Create and maintain documentation for human factors activities across programs.
• Support certification efforts, including regulatory compliance (14 CFR Part 25.1302 and related standards).
• Collaborate across multiple aircraft programs and engineering platforms.
• Contribute to sustaining programs and significant cockpit modification initiatives.

Skills

Cognitive ergonomics

Human factors

Flight deck UX

Technical writing

English communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science

Cognitive Ergonomics/Psychology/Industrial Design training

Job description

Senior Professional, Human Factors Engineering – Flight Deck Design

Shape the Future of Flight Deck Experience at the Forefront of Aviation Innovation

At PDS Tech Commercial, in partnership with a global leader in aviation, we are seeking a Senior Professional, Human Factors Engineering – Flight Deck Design to help define the next generation of cockpit safety, usability, and pilot experience. This is a high-impact role where engineering, cognitive science, and human-centered design converge to influence how pilots interact with some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

You will join a team supporting a company recognized for designing, building, and maintaining peak-performing aircraft for discerning customers across business aviation, government, and defense sectors.

Role Summary & Impact

In this role, you will conceptualize, design, evaluate, and support certification of Flight Deck Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). Your work will directly influence cockpit safety, workload efficiency, situational awareness, and overall pilot experience. By applying cognitive ergonomics and user-centered design principles, you will help ensure that flight deck systems meet the highest standards of usability, performance, and regulatory compliance.

This is not just a design role—it is a critical contributor to flight safety, certification readiness, and the evolution of modern aviation interfaces.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Apply cognitive ergonomics to design, test, and analyze Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI)


• Support requirements development, task analysis, and human error analysis activities


• Develop flight deck simulations, prototypes, and usability models


• Plan and execute human factors evaluations, experiments, and validation activities


• Conduct scenario-based flight deck and UX evaluations aligned with aircraft philosophy


• Engage directly with flight crews to assess cockpit usability (physical and cognitive)


• Create and maintain documentation for human factors activities across programs


• Support certification efforts, including regulatory compliance (e.g., 14 CFR Part 25.1302 and related standards)


• Collaborate across multiple aircraft programs and engineering platforms


• Contribute to sustaining programs and significant cockpit modification initiatives

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science


• Degree or formal training in Cognitive Ergonomics, Psychology, Industrial Design, or equivalent


• ~10 years of experience in cognitive ergonomics and human factors within aerospace or related industries


• Strong understanding of:


• Cognition, perception, decision-making, workload, situation awareness, and human error


• Physical ergonomics (anthropometry, reach, strength, vision)


• Experience in aerospace systems, flight operations, and regulatory environments


• Familiarity with design and aviation standards (e.g., MIL-STD, SAE ARP, ARINC)


• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills (English required; French an asset)


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic engineering environment


• Self-motivated, resourceful, and comfortable working independently or in a team setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with flight deck design or avionics HMI development


• Hands-on experience with simulation or prototyping tools


• Exposure to certification processes and regulatory engagement


• Strong UX design or human-centered design background in aviation contexts


• Experience collaborating directly with pilots or flight test crews

Why Join Us?

You will be part of a team that defines excellence in aviation. Every day, you will contribute to designing aircraft that operate at the highest level of performance, safety, and customer experience.

We believe the best results come from empowered people. That means supporting your growth, valuing your expertise, and giving you the freedom to bring your unique perspective to complex engineering challenges.

You will join a culture built on:

• High-performance engineering and innovation


• Collaboration across global aviation programs


• Continuous learning and professional development


• Respect for individuality and technical excellence

Benefits (Direct Placements Only):

• Insurance plans (medical, dental, life, disability, and more)


• Competitive base salary


• Retirement savings plan


• Employee Assistance Program


• Telehealth Program

Location & Engagement Details

• Primary locations:


• Wichita


• Hybrid work model: 2 days per week onsite (subject to change)


• Employment types available: contractor, contract-to-hire, or direct placement

Pay Details:

$91.69 to $117.26 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act


• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance


• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers


• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.