Human Factors Engineer - AirPods Comfort

At Apple, we create products that enrich lives, with wearables being central to this mission. We believe the best wearables are those that seamlessly blend into everyday life—functional, elegant, and comfortable. Join one of the core teams driving this vision forward. We’re seeking a Human Factors Engineer to help perfect the fit and comfort of AirPods. In this role, you’ll collaborate with designers and researchers to refine prototypes, ensuring a magical fit experience for millions, one ear at a time. The wide diversity of ear shapes and sizes across the world presents a unique and exciting challenge, pushing us to innovate and create solutions that fit everyone. Come join our team!

Description

As a Human Factors Engineer on our multidisciplinary team, you are responsible for framing questions, conducting studies, analyzing data, interpreting results, communicating actionable insights, and facilitating collaboration with cross-functional research teams. Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Collaborate with designers and scientists to define research questions and plan data collection efforts.
2. Develop user study protocols, recruitment materials, and write detailed study plans and proposals.
3. Plan and run sophisticated subject recruitment based on anthropometric characteristics and usability profiles.
4. Conduct user studies, applying Human Factors Engineering (HFE) principles throughout the research cycle.
5. Perform statistical and qualitative analyses, delivering timely, actionable feedback to cross-functional teams.
6. Create compelling presentations to effectively communicate findings to designers, engineers, researchers, and other partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Biomechanics, Psychology, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience designing and conducting user studies and applying Human Factors Engineering principles in fashion, consumer electronics, or similar industries.
• Proficiency in data analysis techniques (e.g., statistical and qualitative methods).
• Ability to present findings to multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Biomechanics, Psychology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects independently and exercising sound judgment in developing study methodologies, data collection strategies, data analysis, conclusions, and design recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop surveys and subjective scales from scratch, and go through proper item validation steps before applying them in research or using them in studies.
• Expertise in population size estimation to inform study design and participant recruitment.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, Tableau, MATLAB) and data visualization platforms.
• Experience with photogrammetry, motion capture, parametric modeling, and NURBS.
• Highly organized, with a proven ability to manage numerous projects and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
• Ability to prepare well-crafted presentations that tell a story, communicate complex datasets, and are tailored to the appropriate audience.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.