Human Factors Researcher Jobs

At Bold Insight, we conduct research to understand how people use products and determine what could be done to make it easier for people to use the products we study. Human factors is at the core of our research: how can we design products and situations to work well for the end user?

Bold Insight applies human factors research in many industries, including automotive, technology, and consumer products; the majority of our work is in medical devices. Our medical device human factors (HF) practice makes up the largest single portion of our business. We conduct exploratory research to better understand use-related needs and inform the design of healthcare-related products and medical devices. We also conduct human factors validation studies to ensure those products and devices can be used safely and effectively. We work with a wide variety of products, including drug delivery devices, diagnostics, surgical tools and systems, packaging and labeling, and the digital assets and technology that augment healthcare in today’s world. When you work in this space, you not only get the gratification of informing useful and usable product design – you get the added benefit of knowing that the products you help bring to market make a real difference in the lives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

We provide ongoing, robust, certified training that fosters an environment of professional growth. This training starts from week 1! You hit the ground running with exposure to client work to understand our processes and approach with constant support from your colleagues! We are passionate about our collaborative and team-centered culture.

We know you will love working with us because WE love working with us! Based on employee input, our workplace culture was recognized externally by Inc. Magazine in 2020 and 2023 and by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2020, 2021, and 2022!

Skills

Bold Insight is seeking a human factors researcher whose focus is primarily on applying HF and usability engineering to the development of products. Preference for medical device experience and familiarity with IEC 62366-1, IEC/TR 62366-2, ANSI/AAMI HE75, and FDA guidance on Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices. Previous experience as an HF researcher is required, experience in HF research consulting preferred.

All qualified candidates will be competent in some or all of the following areas, or will be committed to developing competence depending on experience level:

• Human factors validation
• Conducting task analyses (e.g., time and motion study, work flow diagrams, process mapping)
• Human factors evaluation (e.g., evaluation of how well a product, process, or system fits an individual)
• Using qualitative methods to uncover insights about usability / ease of use of products and processes (e.g., Interviews, Contextual inquiry, Ethnography)
• Formative usability testing (i.e., testing a product while it is still under development with the expectation that changes will be made and reporting on findings)
• Formative research analysis and reporting (i.e., testing a product while it is still under development with the expectation that changes will be made and reporting on findings)
• Root cause analysis
• Development of human factors plans (e.g., ability to write a project plan / research plan)
• Conducting use-based risk analyses (e.g., FMEA, fault tree analysis)
• Summative research analysis and reporting (i.e., testing a product that is at the end of its development process with the expectation that changes are no longer needed, evaluating risks associated with use)

We are a hybrid workplace. This is a full-time position flexibly based out of our Downers Grove or Chicago loop location. For the right candidate we would be open to fully remote.

Our research takes us all over the country, and sometimes all over the world! Therefore, you must be willing to travel, up to 40%, to conduct in-person research.

This position requires the team member to hold a valid driver’s license. Driving may be required for in-person research. This requirement allows our resourcing team to remain flexible when assigning team members to projects.

Experience

Multiple researcher positions are available in this area for qualified candidates depending on relevant experience.

Master’s degree in behavioral science preferred with an emphasis on research or comparable experience as a human factors practitioner, biomedical engineer, cognitive engineer, industrial designer, or something similar.

Human Factors Researcher (2+ years)

Currently we have both full-time and short-term contracts available! Many times, if contractors and our team decide there is a mutual fit, this becomes a full-time offer, so we are always open to that possibility!

Salary:

$56,000-104,000*

• Bold Insight has a very flat organizational structure. This is purposeful and fosters a non-competitive, supportive environment. With only three levels (Researcher, Senior Researcher, Director/Partner), the salary ranges are wide and based on education, years of related experience, and geographical location. Salary treatments and promotions are handled on an individual basis and timeline. Our goal is to ensure your professional growth and development are designed around you and evolve as your career goals evolve.

Benefits and perks

All of our team members, both contract and full-time, enjoy many perks, including:

• Employer-subsidized travel perks
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices incorporated into all organizational workstreams

• Home office equipment & supplies
• New hire Friendtor program
• Team events

• Short- and long-term disability, life, AD&D
• Industry-leading parental leave policy
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Pet insurance
• 401K matching
• Choice of medical insurance programs (PPO, HSA & HMO)
• 100% employer-paid health insurance (dental and vision included) for full-time employees, 50% employer-paid for spouse/dependents]

• Conference attendance & professional development
• Potential for employee ownership
• Holiday office closure, generous PTO, paid holidays, personal, and sick time
• Monthly bonus plan
• Loyalty bonuses, including an every 5-year travel perk — take a vacation on us!
• Philanthropy hours

Working in our corporate office? We have a lot of fun in our casual, laid-back offices! Whether you’re primarily on-site or occasionally stopping by, you’ll enjoy even more benefits, including:

• Relaxed dress code
• Free fitness center membership at our corporate office
• Generous work-from-home policy
• Power-adjustable standing desks

• Espresso machines, need we say more?
• Office dogs
• Free snacks and drinks
• Happy hours and in-person team events