Senior Human Factors Engineer

Senior Human Factors Engineer

At Vicarious Surgical, we are driven to bring in the next wave of surgical robotics and improve care to patients. We believe our Single-Port robotics platform is a step towards revolutionizing robotic surgery and expanding access to patients globally. 

Vicarious Surgical is looking to hire an inspired Senior Human Factors Engineer to join our Product Team based in Waltham, MA. In this role, you will be the usability lead across robotic subsystems and have a direct impact on development and design of the Vicarious Robotic Platform. As an HFE lead within the Product Team you will work collaboratively and creatively with Clinical Development Engineers, Product Marketing, Technical partners and Designers to generate design documentation and recommendations inform and guide the development of our Robotic Platform. 

The Senior Human Factors Engineer drives as a key stakeholder within a collaborative and structured process to conduct user-centered design research, analyze and characterize use-related risks, conduct usability testing, and provide continued necessary input to inform and guide development teams towards successful usability outcomes. You will have primary responsibility for evaluating product designs with surgeon and care team test participants, and to conduct qualitative research to gain a deeper understanding of our users, uses and use environments. You will also be responsible for representing the user and the use environment in workflow initiatives. 

This is a terrific opportunity for a hungry, inspired and professionally ready Human Factors professional to take the next step in their career. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skill set and subject matter expertise. You will be joining a team of equally mission-driven and ambitious individuals who are inspired to push themselves and push to reach our mission as a Company - to revolutionize robotic surgery to improve the lives of patients. 

This is a hybrid (4 days on-site) role located in Waltham, MA.

Responsibilities:

• Support and consider established User Needs, Use Specifications, and Use Workflows to drive usability definition of System Requirements
• Apply ergonomic, human-centered design principles to system user interfaces 
• Usability lead for robotic subsystems
• Think strategically around usability needs and recommend program initiatives that will support prioritization of identifying, understanding and mitigating use related risks
• Assess and document potential use issues (uFMEA, URRA, FTA) and provide design recommendations to improve usability or mitigate use risk
• Efficiently and effectively assess design iterations of products both internally and with users/key opinion leaders using novel and/or lean methodologies
• Develop sound Formative and Summative Usability Validation Protocols, conduct studies, and draw relevant conclusions through rigorous reporting
• Maintain a detailed understanding of the developing human factors environment (e.g. evaluation methods, evolving regulatory landscapes, etc.)

About You

• (MUST HAVE) a Bachelor’s or higher degree in Human Factors Engineering 
• Have 6+ years of relevant human factors/usability engineering or design experience
• Persuasive storyteller with strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate technical information at multiple levels within the organization
• Have an excellent set of writing and presentation examples that demonstrate your ability to clearly communicate findings and recommendations for complex systems
• Experience designing, executing, and reporting on user studies using a variety of methods, including early-stage concept exploration, simulated use, surveys, and observational research
• Strong understanding of FDA 21 CFR Part 820, FDA Human Factors Guidance, IEC 62366, ISO 14971, HE75, and relevant standards
• You are a self-starter requiring minimal supervision to prioritize tasks, tailor HF efforts, meet deadlines, and manage input from many stakeholders; you possess coolness under pressure, problem solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment
• Have the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and drive design excellence with design, marketing, technology, and product partners