Human Factors Lead Research Scientist

Job Description

As a Human Factors Lead Research Scientist at Honeywell Aerospace, you will lead critical research initiatives focused on human factors engineering within the aerospace domain. You will apply your expertise to develop innovative solutions that enhance safety, usability, and performance in aerospace systems. You will work on‑site with fixed‑wing, rotorcraft flight simulators and flight testing, and collaborate with engineers, researchers, and product managers to integrate human factors into product development.

• Lead human factors research and development activities aligned with company goals.
• Design and conduct experiments and usability studies to evaluate aerospace system interfaces and controls.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate human factors considerations into product development.
• Design, test, and certify the look, feel, and operational behavior of flight decks.
• Utilize human factors methodologies to evaluate cognitive, interactive, ergonomic, and behavioral attributes of flight decks.
• Develop and execute research designs, including study objectives, hypotheses, variables, and data collection parameters.
• Conduct human performance, workload, situational awareness, and human‑machine interaction research.
• Conduct user evaluations and testing in full‑flight simulators and flight test aircraft.
• Collect, manage, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpret results to identify trends and implications for system performance and operator effectiveness.
• Develop test plans, study protocols, and technical reports that meet industry standards.
• Present findings to technical and non‑technical audiences, including leadership and regulators.
• Collaborate with pilots, designers, and systems engineers to align flight deck interfaces with pilot capabilities.
• Identify emerging technologies to increase aviation safety.
• Support design requirements for flight crew interface changes and enhancements.
• Contribute to human‑centered design recommendations for FAA safety, performance, and modernization goals.
• Work closely with test pilots, avionics communities, and regulators.
• Respond to government funding solicitations and work on government research contracts.
• Submit patent applications, academic publications, and share technical knowledge.

YOU MUST HAVE

• Minimum of 6+ years of hands‑on human factors research experience in aerospace or a related high‑technology environment.
• 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…