Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces | San Jose, CA

Are you an innovative leader passionate about enhancing the synergy between surgeons and advanced medical technologies? We are seeking a Chief Human Factors Officer to pioneer the development of intuitive and safe surgeon-machine interfaces at a cutting-edge medical technology company based in San Jose, CA. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of surgical robotics by optimizing human-machine collaboration and elevating patient outcomes.

Lead Innovation at the Forefront of Surgical Technology

Join a leading medical technology firm in San Jose, CA, dedicated to revolutionizing surgical procedures through seamless surgeon-machine interaction. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in human factors engineering, user experience design, and healthcare technology integration. If you excel at bridging clinical insights with engineering innovation to create user-centered solutions, this role offers a powerful platform to drive transformation in surgical care.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces

Human-Centered Design Leadership: Drive the development and implementation of human factors strategies that prioritize surgeon usability, safety, and ergonomics in surgical machine interfaces. Champion user-centered design principles across product development to enhance clinical outcomes and workflow efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, product management, clinical teams, and regulatory affairs to integrate human factors considerations throughout the product lifecycle. Facilitate clear communication and alignment between multidisciplinary teams to ensure user needs are central to technology innovation.

Usability Testing & Validation: Oversee comprehensive usability studies, simulations, and clinical evaluations to validate interface design. Analyze human-machine interaction data and translate findings into actionable improvements that reduce surgeon error and increase adoption rates.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Ensure all surgeon-machine interfaces comply with relevant FDA and international medical device regulations concerning usability and safety. Proactively identify and address human factors-related risks to minimize liability and enhance patient safety.

Innovation & Industry Thought Leadership: Stay at the forefront of emerging trends in human factors engineering, surgical robotics, and healthcare technology. Lead efforts to incorporate cutting-edge methods and tools that improve interface intuitiveness and surgeon experience.

Training & Change Management: Develop training protocols and support materials that facilitate surgeon adoption of new interfaces. Collaborate with clinical educators to implement effective change management strategies that encourage seamless integration of new technologies into surgical practice.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize quantitative and qualitative data from user research, clinical feedback, and performance metrics to guide continuous product enhancements. Translate complex human factors insights into strategic recommendations for product roadmaps.

Team Leadership & Development: Build and mentor a high-performing human factors team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and clinical empathy. Recruit top talent and encourage ongoing professional growth aligned with organizational goals.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces, the client seeks an exceptional leader with deep expertise in human factors engineering, usability, and medical device design. You should be a forward-thinking, user-centered innovator who excels at bridging clinical needs with advanced technology to create safe and intuitive surgical systems.

Expertise in Human Factors & Medical Technology

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading human factors initiatives within the healthcare or medical device industry, particularly involving surgeon-machine interfaces or surgical robotics. You should have a proven ability to improve device usability, reduce error rates, and enhance clinical workflows through human-centered design.

Visionary Leader with a Focus on User Experience

You must demonstrate a strategic mindset capable of anticipating evolving clinical needs and regulatory landscapes. The client values a leader who can drive innovation by integrating surgeon feedback and usability data into product roadmaps, delivering interfaces that improve surgeon performance and patient outcomes.

Strong Regulatory & Safety Acumen

A deep understanding of FDA regulations and international standards for medical device usability and safety is essential. You should have experience managing human factors documentation and risk mitigation processes to ensure compliance and minimize device-related risks.

Collaborative & Cross-Functional Partner

Success in this role requires the ability to work seamlessly across engineering, clinical, regulatory, and product teams. You should be an effective communicator and collaborator who can translate complex human factors concepts into actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders.

Data-Driven & Analytical Thinker

The client seeks someone skilled in designing and analyzing usability studies, human-machine interaction data, and clinical evaluations. Your decisions should be grounded in robust evidence, enabling continuous improvement of interface design and surgical workflows.

Inspiring Team Builder & Mentor

Leadership is critical— you should be able to attract, develop, and retain top talent in human factors and usability research. The client values a leader who fosters a culture of innovation, clinical empathy, and excellence within a multidisciplinary team.

Commitment to Advancing Surgical Technology

Ultimately, you must be passionate about enhancing the surgeon’s experience and improving patient safety through human factors excellence. The client is looking for a dedicated leader who will champion human-centered design as a cornerstone of next-generation surgical systems.

FAQs About the Role – Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces

1. What are the key responsibilities of the Chief Human Factors Officer in this role?
You will lead the design and implementation of human factors strategies to optimize surgeon-machine interfaces, ensuring usability, safety, and clinical effectiveness. Responsibilities include guiding usability testing, collaborating across engineering and clinical teams, managing regulatory compliance related to human factors, and driving innovation in surgical technology.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in human factors engineering within medical device or healthcare technology sectors, particularly focused on surgical robotics or interfaces. A background in usability research, human-centered design, and regulatory requirements (FDA, IEC standards) is essential. Advanced degrees in human factors, biomedical engineering, or related fields are highly preferred.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for this role?
The client seeks a visionary leader with strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex clinical needs into user-centered solutions. Effective communication, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to inspire and develop a high-performing team are critical. A commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence is a must.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?
You will face challenges such as balancing cutting-edge technology with surgeon usability, navigating evolving regulatory standards, and integrating multidisciplinary inputs into cohesive interface designs. Ensuring seamless adoption of new surgical technologies while minimizing risks and errors will also be a key focus.

5. What is the expected impact of the Chief Human Factors Officer on the company’s products?
You will play a pivotal role in shaping the usability and safety of surgical devices, directly influencing surgeon satisfaction and patient outcomes. Your leadership will drive the development of interfaces that improve surgical precision, reduce errors, and foster clinical adoption, thereby strengthening the company’s competitive position.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?
The company fosters an innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven culture focused on improving healthcare through technology. You will work alongside engineers, clinicians, and product experts in a fast-paced environment that values creativity, scientific rigor, and a shared commitment to advancing surgical care.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Chief Human Factors Officer specializing in Surgeon-Machine Interfaces in San Jose, CA, you can anticipate a competitive and comprehensive compensation package designed to attract top-tier human factors and medical technology leaders. The remuneration typically includes:

1. Base Salary
The base salary for this senior-level human factors leadership role varies depending on company size, funding stage, and candidate experience. For established medical technology firms in Silicon Valley, annual base salaries generally range from $180,000 to $300,000 or higher.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses
Most compensation packages include performance-linked bonuses tied to milestones such as product development success, usability goals, regulatory approvals, and user adoption metrics. Bonuses can range from 15% to 40% of the base salary, aligned with individual and company achievements.

3. Equity & Stock Options
To align leadership incentives with long-term company growth, equity grants such as stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs) are commonly offered. These can represent a significant portion of the total compensation, especially in startup or growth-stage companies, providing potential for substantial financial upside.

4. Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)
Some organizations offer LTIPs or profit-sharing plans rewarding sustained performance over multiple years. These incentives encourage strategic vision and commitment to advancing cutting-edge surgical technologies.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks
Benefits often include:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement savings plans with company matching
Wellness programs and flexible work arrangements
Professional development allowances
Travel and conference expense coverage

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance
For highly qualified candidates, signing bonuses and relocation support may be offered to facilitate the transition to San Jose, reflecting the competitive market for top human factors leaders in medical technology.

Total Compensation Potential

When combining base salary, bonuses, equity, and additional incentives, total compensation packages for this role can range broadly from approximately $250,000 to $500,000+ annually, with significant growth potential tied to company success and individual impact.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary leader with deep expertise in human factors engineering and a passion for advancing surgeon-machine interfaces, we encourage you to apply for the Chief Human Factors Officer role based in San Jose, CA. This is a unique opportunity to lead the human factors strategy at the forefront of surgical technology innovation, improving usability, safety, and clinical outcomes.

To apply, please submit your updated resume along with a cover letter that highlights your experience in human factors leadership within medical technology, your success driving usability improvements, and your ability to collaborate across clinical, engineering, and regulatory teams. Emphasize your accomplishments in usability testing, regulatory compliance, and translating surgeon needs into intuitive interface designs.

This role offers a high-impact career path where you will influence the future of surgical devices, champion user-centered design, and work with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving patient care. Apply today to advance your career as a Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces in San Jose, CA!

For more information or to explore other leadership opportunities in medical technology, visit our Robotic-Assisted Surgery Talent Search Experts Page.

Job Category: Surgeon-Machine Interfaces

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: San Jose

Chief Human Factors Officer – Surgeon-Machine Interfaces | San Jose, CA