Human Factors Lead Research Scientist

Responsibilities

• Lead human factors research and development activities aligned with Honeywell Aerospace goals and objectives.
• Design and conduct experiments and usability studies to evaluate aerospace system interfaces and controls.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineers, designers, and product managers to integrate human factors considerations into product development.
• Design, test, and certify the look, feel, and operational behavior of the flight deck.
• Utilize Human Factors methodologies and best practices to develop, evaluate, analyze, test, and support the cognitive, interactive, ergonomic, and behavioral attributes of Honeywell Aerospace Flight Decks.
• Develop and execute research designs, including defining study objectives, hypotheses, variables, and data collection parameters.
• Design and execute basic and applied research on human performance, workload, situational awareness, and human-machine interaction.
• Conduct and execute user evaluations and testing in state-of-the-art full-flight simulators and flight test airplanes.
• Collect, manage, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical and analytical methods.
• Conduct statistical analyses and interpret results to identify trends, patterns, and implications for system performance and operator effectiveness.
• Develop test plans, study protocols, and technical reports that meet peer-reviewed and industry research standards.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership, regulatory authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with pilots, designers, and systems engineers to ensure flight deck interfaces and flight management automation complement the cognitive, physical, sensory, and ergonomic capabilities of our pilots.
• Identify new and emerging technologies to increase aviation safety and add value to our products or services.
• Support the establishment of design requirements for changes and enhancements to the flight crew interface on existing or new commercial airplane models, and testing and implementing those enhancements.
• Contribute to the development of human-centered design recommendations that support FAA safety, performance, and modernization objectives.
• Work closely with Honeywell Aerospace test pilots, international avionics communities, and regulators.
• Respond to government funding solicitations and perform on government research contracts.
• Submit patent applications, academic publications, and share technical knowledge.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6+ years of hands-on human factors research experience in aerospace or a related high-technology environment, with proven responsibility for owning studies end-to-end—from concept to final deliverables.
• 1+ year of industry experience applying human factors research methods, operational evaluation techniques, and statistical analyses in applied aviation or mission-critical environments.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing, planning, and executing human factors studies, including full lifecycle management of logistics, participant interactions, and data collection.
• Proven ability to author all research documentation, including IRB protocols, consent forms, study plans, technical reports, and proposal/bid materials.
• Hands-on expertise in experimental design, simulation-based studies, quantitative analysis, and interpreting complex research outputs.
• Advanced technical writing and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to create clear, defensible documentation and deliverables grounded in human-factors principles.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex human factors findings to both technical and operational audiences.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., R, SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or similar).
• Applied experience with human factors engineering, usability testing, and ergonomic assessments specifically for aerospace systems, interfaces, or operational equipment.
• Proficiency with human factors analysis tools, simulation software, and aerospace regulatory standards, with experience ensuring study designs and outputs meet compliance requirements.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Human Factors, UX/UI Design, Engineering, Psychology, or a related field.
• Previous in-person research experience collecting human subject data from a flight simulator.
• Experience supporting FAA programs or research related to flight deck avionics, operations, NAS or air traffic management.
• Familiarity with human-in-the-loop simulation environments and human performance modeling.
• Experience integrating human factors principles into system engineering, safety analysis, or concept development.
• Knowledge of FAA Human Factors Design Standard (HF-STD-001) or related regulatory and research guidance.
• Previous experience collecting human subject data from experiments on complex technologies (AI, augmented/virtual reality, speech technology, automated systems).
• Pilot certification or experience.
• Human Subjects Research Certification (e.g., CITI certification).
• Publications or presentations in peer-reviewed human factors or aviation research forums.
• Strong skills in proposal writing.
• Experience leading cross-disciplinary teams and managing complex R&D projects.
• Knowledge of cognitive engineering, system safety, and human-machine interface design.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and certification processes.
• Passion for innovation and continuous learning in human factors and aerospace technologies.