Sr/ Staff Human Factors Design Engineer

Intuitive; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is seeking a Human Factors Design Engineer to maximize usability and desirability of robotic systems and accessories. You will work across product development with cross-functional teams to drive usability-centered design decisions and ensure safety and regulatory alignment.

The role focuses on research and hands-on design within new robotic systems, influencing user interface design and user experience based on formative research findings.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in robotics, HRI, HMI and mixed-methods research.
• Experience identifying unmet user needs and opportunities for product innovation.
• Ability to communicate actionable design insights that shape product strategy.

Responsibilities

• Apply deep expertise in robotics, HRI, HMI, and mixed-methods research to identify unmet user needs and opportunities for product innovation.
• Represent Intuitive during formative research with clinicians and customers across global markets.
• Independently generate, prioritize, and communicate actionable design insights that shape product strategy and development priorities.
• De-risk design strategies focused on usability and safety across product lines.
• Lead usability design decisions in collaboration with engineering, regulatory, and quality teams.
• Champion safety, usability, and user experience through evidence-based design practices.

Skills

Robotics

HRI

HMI

Formative research

Usability engineering

Human factors

Risk analysis

Job description

Job Description

Primary Function of Position

The Human Factors Design Engineer (HFDE) is part of the Human Factors (HF) organization that aims to maximize usability and desirability of Intuitive products while minimizing risk through scientific research and usability engineering. HFDE is focused on research and design within product development of new robotic systems, instruments and accessories. This role works closely with product managers, clinical engineers, mechanical engineers, computer scientists, industrial/ interaction designers, regulatory affairs, quality and design controls, and other cross functional teams. HFDE helps de-risk design strategies within product development through a range of formative research activities and hands-on design engineering activities that inform the definition of user requirements and user interface design requirements underlying the user experience of Intuitive products.

The HFDE position reports to a Manager within the broader HF organization at Intuitive.

Essential Job Duties

• Apply deep expertise in robotics, HRI, HMI, and mixed-methods research to identify unmet user needs, performance limitations, and opportunities for future product innovation.

• Represent Intuitive during formative research with clinicians and customers across global markets.

• Independently generate, prioritize, and communicate actionable design insights that shape product strategy, influence development priorities, and advance human factors capabilities.

• De-risk design strategies focused on the analysis of human performance, workflow, and usability factors, while identifying and mitigating systemic usability risks across product lines.

• Serve as the human factors lead for complex development initiatives, partnering with engineering, clinical, product management, quality, and regulatory teams to drive usability-centered design decisions.

• Influence product and business decisions by balancing user needs, safety, usability, technical feasibility, and organizational priorities.

• Lead the definition and management of usability design inputs across robotic systems, instruments, and accessories, translating research findings into actionable user and interface requirements.

• Develop and evaluate conceptual prototypes that communicate design strategies, performance considerations, and future product concepts.

• Champion safety, usability, and user experience through evidence-based risk-benefit analyses and human-centered design practices.

• Author and maintain human factors engineering deliverables, ensuring compliance with design controls, usability engineering processes, and regulatory requirements.Mentor peers and project teams in applying HF methodologies, frameworks, and best practices while fostering innovation through the integration of user insights and cross-functional expertise.