Sr/ Staff Human Factors Design Engineer

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Intuitive is hiring a Human Factors Design Engineer to lead robotics and human‑robot interaction research and design across product lines. You will de‑risk strategies, translate findings into user and interface requirements, and work with engineering, clinical, and regulatory teams to inform development.

The role emphasizes safety, usability, and user experience, with opportunities to mentor peers and influence product strategy in a global market.

Qualifications

• Minimum BS or MS in Human Factors Engineering or related field with emphasis on UX design.
• Experience in human–robotic interaction is preferred.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• 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 and development priorities.
• De‑risk design strategies focusing on human performance, workflow, and usability factors across product lines.
• Serve as human factors lead for complex development initiatives, partnering with engineering, clinical, product, quality, and regulatory teams.
• Balance user needs, safety, usability, technical feasibility, and organizational priorities in design decisions.
• Lead usability design inputs for robotic systems, translating research into actionable user/interface requirements.
• Develop and evaluate conceptual prototypes communicating design strategies and future concepts.
• Champion safety, usability, and user experience through evidence‑based analyses and human‑centered design practices.
• Author and maintain HF engineering deliverables ensuring compliance with design controls, usability processes, and regulatory requirements; mentor peers.

Skills

Robotics

HRI

HMI

Research

Usability

Communication

Education

HF Eng BS

UX MS

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.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 8 - 15 years relevant experience in industry.
• Excellent technical communication skills (verbal, written, and formal presentation) and business acumen.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of information into simple, accessible, and meaningful communications to stakeholders.
• Knowledge and ability in one or more complex robotic systems, including mechanical design (kinematics/ mechanisms), sensing and perception, control systems, software engineering (programming/ simulation) and human‑robotic interaction.
• Ability to work with and across various groups and levels of management within the organization, including other engineering groups, marketing, clinical engineering, and regulatory.
• Ability to apply user‑centered design and usability engineering principles to product research, development, and design.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum BS or MS in Human Factors Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Human‑Computer Interaction, Human‑Centered Design, or a related field with an emphasis in user experience design and human‑robotic interaction.

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel internationally as well as domestically (up to 25%).
• Primarily office-based set schedule working model.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in medical device, or similar regulated industry, a plus.
• Experience with design engineering in product development.
• Ability to empathize with people and to understand the human condition.
• Ability to interface with clinical experts (e.g., surgeons) in a highly professional manner.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID‑19. Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan ("TCP") (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here dependingbusiness need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and thecandidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market‑competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic‑assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies, like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion, have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.