Principal Scientist, Human Factors
Merck
August 29, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities and Activities
- Manage a Human Factors team applying human performance knowledge (perceptual, cognitive, motor skills) across the product lifecycle: customer needs identification, early concept selection/screening, user profiles, task analysis, UI design, use error analysis, risk assessment/mitigation, usability testing, hazard analysis, and post-launch outcomes analysis.
- Coach and mentor junior scientists.
- Perform and manage HF activities across the regulated design/development cycle: create HF plans; partner to define customer needs, intended use, and potential hazards/harm; provide design/packaging requirements; conduct task/use error analysis; design instructions for use; run formative/summative studies; prepare regulatory submission materials; support post-market surveillance and training needs.
- Strategic planning of HF assessment for innovative product design.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (marketing, product planning/PM, formulation, clinical, safety, regulatory, purchasing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling) to create intuitive products and ensure regulatory compliance via risk management.
- Maintain key development deliverable documents/records/databases supporting regulatory compliance (e.g., HF study protocol/report, task/use error documents).
- Stay current on human factors in regulatory/industry; represent company externally as needed.
- Support other quality and GMP compliance activities; perform other job-related duties/special projects as required.
Qualifications
- B.A./B.S. in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Cognitive/Experimental Psychology, Sociology, Engineering, Chemistry, or Business Management plus 10 years related experience.
- Strong knowledge of human factors and device regulatory requirements/industry standards.
- Prefer experience in people/team management.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environment.
Required Skills
- Adaptability; Combination Products; Data Analysis; Finite Element Analysis (FEA); Innovative Thinking; Leadership Mentoring; Pharmaceutical Process Development; Professional Collaboration/Networking; Quality by Design; Regulatory Filings; Strategic Thinking; Technology Transfer.
Preferred Skills
- Current employees/contingent workers: apply via internal link.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).
- Manage a Human Factors team applying human performance knowledge (perceptual, cognitive, motor skills) across the product lifecycle: customer needs identification, early concept selection/screening, user profiles, task analysis, UI design, use error analysis, risk assessment/mitigation, usability testing, hazard analysis, and post-launch outcomes analysis.
- Coach and mentor junior scientists.
- Perform and manage HF activities across the regulated design/development cycle: create HF plans; partner to define customer needs, intended use, and potential hazards/harm; provide design/packaging requirements; conduct task/use error analysis; design instructions for use; run formative/summative studies; prepare regulatory submission materials; support post-market surveillance and training needs.
- Strategic planning of HF assessment for innovative product design.
- Collaborate cross-functionally (marketing, product planning/PM, formulation, clinical, safety, regulatory, purchasing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling) to create intuitive products and ensure regulatory compliance via risk management.
- Maintain key development deliverable documents/records/databases supporting regulatory compliance (e.g., HF study protocol/report, task/use error documents).
- Stay current on human factors in regulatory/industry; represent company externally as needed.
- Support other quality and GMP compliance activities; perform other job-related duties/special projects as required.
Qualifications
- B.A./B.S. in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Cognitive/Experimental Psychology, Sociology, Engineering, Chemistry, or Business Management plus 10 years related experience.
- Strong knowledge of human factors and device regulatory requirements/industry standards.
- Prefer experience in people/team management.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environment.
Required Skills
- Adaptability; Combination Products; Data Analysis; Finite Element Analysis (FEA); Innovative Thinking; Leadership Mentoring; Pharmaceutical Process Development; Professional Collaboration/Networking; Quality by Design; Regulatory Filings; Strategic Thinking; Technology Transfer.
Preferred Skills
- Current employees/contingent workers: apply via internal link.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).