Associate Principal Scientist, Human Factors

MSD

Lead human factors activities ensuring compliance with US and global regulatory policies for combination products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams from concept through product launch and post-market surveillance.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeRahway • New Jersey, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $142,400 - $224,100 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Human Factors Project Work (Execution and Strategy), including, but not limited to: Establish and own HF strategy from early concept through validation and post-market for devices and combination products
Build HF plans and study roadmaps; select methods (user research, task/use-error analysis, risk mitigation, formative/summative usability testing)
Turn user insights into design inputs for device UI, packaging, labeling, and IFU; guide intuitive, safe designs
Partner with marketing, program management, clinical, safety, regulatory, manufacturing, packaging, and labeling to integrate HF and manage risk
Lead regulatory deliverables: HF protocols/reports, linkage to risk management (ISO 14971), hazard/use-related risk analyses, and submission materials (FDA, EU MDR)
Maintain and manage compliant HF documentation and traceability; ensure audit readiness
Monitor post-market use-related issues and drive corrective actions and training
Define and continuously improve HF process, standards, and templates per IEC 62366-1 and FDA guidance
Create reusable platform methods for needs discovery, user profiling, task analysis, and use-related risk assessment
Provide portfolio-level guidance for UI, labeling, and IFU to reduce use-related risk
Train cross-functional teams on HF practices and compliant documentation
Establish metrics and feedback loops (study quality, defects, post-market signals) to prioritize improvements
Maintain centralized HF libraries and tools to enable reuse and speed development
Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in human factors within the regulatory and industry landscape, and have the ability to represent our company in external communities and exert influence

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.A./B.S in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Cognitive or Experimental Psychology, Sociology, Engineering, or Chemistry plus 10 years of related experience
Strong knowledge of human factors, device regulatory requirements, and industry standards related to device systems
Prefer to have experience in team and people coaching
Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities effectively

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
retirement benefits, including 401(k)
paid holidays
vacation
compassionate and sick days

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

human factorsusability testingrisk managementtask analysisuser researchformative testingsummative testingcompliant documentationHF protocolshazard analysis

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationproblem-solvingcoachingteam collaborationadaptabilityprioritizationtrainingstrategic thinkinginfluence