Human Factors Analyst

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.

Primary Function of Position

The Human Factors Engineer conducts user research and usability testing of Intuitive products prior to launch.  In the role of user research, the HF engineer provides the New Product Development group with in-depth analysis of the user and existing product use.  In the role of usability tester, the HF engineer ensures new products are safe, easy to use, and easy to learn by analyzing risks, and developing and executing Human Factors testing.

The Human Factors Engineer works closely with Interaction Designers, Clinical Engineers, and Technical Product Managers to inform and guide development of new products.

Essential Job Duties

• Collect and synthesize detailed information about how users interact with Intuitive Surgical’s products through various techniques including interviews, simulations, direct observation at hospitals, task analysis, and persona development.
• Present results of field observations, research, and usability testing to the New Product Development organization.
• Contribute to user interface designs by providing guidance, ideas, and feedback to Interaction Designers and developers.
• Analyze complaints from on-market products for usability-related issues.
• Support the design, execution, and reporting on usability (human factors) tests at various stages of product development from early prototypes all the way through formal FDA mandated validation testing.
• Work with cross functional teams to create and maintain usability risk analyses and user interface requirements for Intuitive Surgical’s products.
• Maintain traces between use risks, mitigations, and validation test cases. 
• Reinforce a human centered design approach across the organization.
• Represent the Human Factors function on core teams for small to medium sized projects.
• Keep abreast of regulations and best practices for medical device human factors (e.g. IEC 62366, AAMI HE75, FDA Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices).

As a Human Factors Analyst, you would be focused on the following duties:

• Ability to conceive effective summative testing methods to evaluate design inputs and risk.
• Ability to develop test cases, protocols and reports per process best practices that fit the project need
• Ability to independently moderate and manage improvisation and participant dynamics during usability testing sessions
• Ability to interact with end users and customers in a professional, respectful, proactive and positive/upbeat manner that prioritizes the needs of the customer during the engagement.
• Ability to successfully and professionally manage logistical activities during testing events that are both visible and unseen by the customer
• Develop well-constructed documents with formatting, content, definitions, descriptions and rationales according to HF standards/procedures. Ability to write cohesive and complete discussions in documents that clearly explain and rationalize testing results and conclusions, reviewed by regulatory agencies
• Ability to scope, frame and write effective conclusions (without significant guidance) to teams and in submission documentation such as testing root cause analysis, rationales, determinations.

Required Skills and Experience

• 2+ years relevant HF experience in industry
• Superior ability to empathize with people and to understand the human condition
• Ability to interface with customers in a highly professional manner
• Excellent communication (verbal, written, and formal presentation) and collaboration skills
• Ability to analyze and synthesize large quantities of information into usable communications
• 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
• Ability to travel internationally as well as domestically (up to 25%)

Required Education and Training

• BS or MS in Human Factors Engineering, Cognitive Psychology, Computer Science with human-computer interface (HCI) emphasis, Human Centered Design, or related field.

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel internationally as well as domestically (up to 25%).
• Primarily office-based set schedule working model, 4 days a week.
• May need to move large robotic systems in buildings

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in medical device, or similar regulated industry, a significant plus

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 depending on
business 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 the
candidate’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.