Senior UX Researcher HMI / Human Factors (Machine Display & User Experience)

Role: Senior UX Researcher – HMI / Human Factors (Machine Display & User Experience)
Location: Chillicothe, IL (Local candidates only)
Experience: 12+ years with strong experience in the highlighted skill set

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of overall experience in UX Research, Human Factors, HMI, or related domains.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in UX Research, preferably in a corporate, industrial, or B2B environment.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Factors, Psychology, or a related UX field (additional 2–3 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Strong expertise in Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Machine Displays, and User Experience for physical/digital systems.
• Experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative user research.
• Portfolio demonstrating UX research process, methodology, and deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate usability testing, field studies, simulations, and research findings into clear, prioritized insights and actionable recommendations for HMI, machine displays, and overall UX.
• Identify operator, customer, and business needs and convert them into evidence-based interaction concepts that promote safe, intuitive, and efficient operation of heavy equipment.
• Plan, facilitate, and execute UX research using appropriate methodologies for physical and digital systems.
• Integrate user research into product design decisions and UX best practices.
• Collaborate with designers, engineers, product strategists, and cross-functional teams to define prototype requirements, conduct testing, and iterate designs.
• Document UX strategy, key goals, behaviors, interaction patterns, and design principles for downstream development teams.
• Create and maintain UX research artifacts, including:
  • User Journeys
  • Task Flows
  • Experience Maps
  • Storyboards
  • Mental Models
  • User Flows
• Prioritize UX research activities and backlog based on the product roadmap.

Typical Responsibilities

• Convert research and usability findings into actionable UI recommendations.
• Define user, customer, and business requirements to create compelling interaction concepts.
• Conduct mixed-method research using qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Support UI concept development, prototyping, validation, and documentation.
• Partner with UI designers to refine prototypes through iterative testing.
• Develop reusable UX documentation and visual artifacts for cross-functional alignment.
• Define and document the overall UX strategy, including UI principles, physical interactions, and design guidelines.

Required Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of UI/UX design principles, HMI best practices, and graphic design fundamentals.
• Experience with UI layout, wireframing, specification, and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Axure, etc.).
• Experience conducting mixed-method HMI research.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Portfolio showcasing UX research methodology, process, and project outcomes.