Surgical Robotics Human Factors Engineer

Real; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid leave

Job summary

Real is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to support the design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems. You will apply human-centered design across the product lifecycle, performing needs analyses, workflow assessments, and task analyses to ensure safety and effectiveness for surgeons and OR staff.

You will collaborate with engineers, clinicians, regulatory, and medical affairs to evaluate workflows, assess cognitive workload, and generate actionable usability improvements

Qualifications

• Required – Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Ergonomics, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of experience in human factors, usability engineering, medical devices, healthcare technology, or related industries.
• Experience designing and conducting usability studies and user research.
• Strong knowledge of human-centered design principles and risk-based usability engineering.
• Experience analyzing user performance data and translating findings into design recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems through human-centered design throughout the product lifecycle.
• Apply human factors methods, conduct needs analyses, workflow assessments, and task analyses.
• Identify use-related hazards and contribute to risk management activities.
• Develop use scenarios, critical task analyses, and usability requirements.
• Generate design recommendations from user feedback and observational research.
• Support formative and summative usability testing per FDA and international guidance.
• Collaborate with robotics engineers, surgeons, and clinical teams to evaluate workflows.
• Assess surgeon interaction with device elements and supporting technologies.
• Evaluate cognitive workload, user performance, and procedural efficiency during simulations.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve usability, safety, and surgeon experience.
• Design, coordinate, and execute cadaver-based usability studies and validation activities.
• Facilitate simulations involving surgeons, fellows, residents, and OR staff.
• Collect performance metrics, observational data, and participant feedback.
• Analyze user interactions to identify usability challenges and opportunities.
• Manage study logistics, documentation, equipment, and protocols in lab settings.
• Ensure biosafety, laboratory, and ethical research compliance.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from usability studies.
• Develop study reports, executive summaries, and design recommendations.
• Present findings to cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Support regulatory documentation including Human Factors Engineering reports, validation plans, and risk assessments.

Skills

Human Factors Engineering

Usability Engineering

User Research

Surgical Robotics

Cadaver Lab Operations

Simulation-Based Research

Task Analysis

Risk Analysis

Design Validation

Clinical Research

Ergonomics

Cross-Functional Leadership

Medical Device Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Psychology

Bachelor's degree in Ergonomics

Related field

Tools

Video coding tools

Observational research tools

Statistical analysis software

Job description

Real is seeking a Human Factors Engineer to support the design, development, and validation of surgical robotics systems. You will apply human-centered design across the product lifecycle, performing needs analyses, workflow assessments, and task analyses to ensure safety and effectiveness for surgeons and OR staff.

You will collaborate with engineers, clinicians, regulatory, and medical affairs to evaluate workflows, assess cognitive workload, and generate actionable usability improvements