Principal Engineer - Human Factors (Wauwatosa, WI, US) - Harley-Davidson

Job Summary

The Human Factors Principal Engineer will deliver world-class Human Computer Interactions (HCI) and ergonomic motorcycles while supporting Harley-Davidson’s product methodology requirements using virtual modeling, laboratory and on-track/road testing.  This role will work in the Rider Experience team within Vehicle Engineering and support new and current product teams, focusing on maintaining a premium customer experience through the product design.
 

Job Responsibilities

• Create and execute overall ergonomic and HCI vehicle strategies.
• Mentor and coach other engineers in ergonomic and HCI methods and theory.
• Develop ergonomic and HCI predictive methods and strategies that accelerate time to market.
• Cascade customer and project inputs into a measurable vehicle level requirements that drive system design.
• Plan and conduct usability, driver distraction, and ergonomic studies for new product development to verify vehicle level requirements.
• Interview and collaborate with necessary teams to create Personas, Journey Maps, User Flows, Information Architectures, Interaction Designs, Wireframes, UI Designs, and Product Designs.
• Describe tradeoffs among conflicting requirements using product methodology tools or equivalent.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking for creating informed vehicle requirements such as Keystroke Level Modeling, Heuristic Evaluations and Ergonomic Assessments.
• Work with 3D CAD software to virtually evaluate ergonomic rider/passenger comfort.
• Own the maintenance and evolution of HFE standards, test methods, guidelines, processes, equipment and HFE Lab.

Education Requirements

Education Specifications

• This position requires a requires a Bachelors degree in Human Factors or related technical field. Advanced degree preferred in Human Factors.

Experience Requirements

This position typically requires a minimum of eight years of related experience. Motorcycle rider or desire to learn is required. In addition, the successful candidate will have demonstrated the followin
 

Ergonomic Analysis

• Experience with fundamental concepts of ergonomics and biomechanics as they related to comfort and posture. 
• Conducted ergonomic assessments using various assessment methods with a sample participant pool that meets the targets for the product. 
• Familiarity with statistical distribution concepts useful in quantifying human variation and preference. 
• Exposure to anthropometric models and databases such as CAESAR (Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource) or ISO7250-2.

Human Computer Interface (HCI or HMI)

• Experience with fundamental concepts of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design and use of Adobe XD, Figma or related software to create testable prototypes. 
• Understanding of predictive methods for assessing UI, software usability testing (methodologies and tools – Tobii Eye-Tracking), design standards, touchscreen and mobile devices.  
• Ability to use various methods and assessment tools such as task-based testing, think – aloud, observational research and card sorting.

Setting Vehicle Targets

• Experience engaging stakeholders to develop vehicle level requirements.  
• Understands and has demonstrated the cascading nature of vehicle level requirements between VOC (Voice of Customer) and system level. 
• Comfortable in advocating for HFE-driven insights in a clear, concise manner to multiple levels of the organization and providing data/rationale for recommendation

Project Management

• Understands basic project management tools and principles (in topics such as requirements, scheduling, risk and issues, budget, and metrics). Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

CAD / Virtual Assembly

• Has demonstrated proficiency in a 3D CAD system (Creo Parametric preferred) or equivalent of modeling manikins in virtual assembly.  Ability to analyze the manikin on the motorcycle for reach, posture, clearances and visibility.