Human Factors Scientist

About Brillouin

Brillouin is a scientific and engineering consulting firm specializing in failure analysis, forensic engineering, accident investigation, and expert witness services. Our multidisciplinary team partners with attorneys, manufacturers, insurance companies, and commercial clients to investigate complex incidents and provide objective, evidence-based opinions.

The Opportunity

Brillouin is seeking a Human Factors Scientist to join our growing team in the Chicago metropolitan area. Successful candidates will work directly with senior consultants while developing the skills necessary to support expert testimony and, over time, serve as a testifying expert.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and evaluations of vehicles, workplaces, consumer products, construction sites, and other environments involved in accidents and injuries
• Apply principles of human perception, attention, memory, decision-making, situational awareness, warnings, ergonomics, and safety compliance to evaluate human performance
• Perform human factors analyses involving transportation incidents, workplace accidents, consumer products, premises liability, and other safety-related events
• Conduct literature reviews and apply peer-reviewed scientific research to forensic investigations
• Review engineering drawings, technical standards, regulations, scientific publications, deposition testimony, and case materials
• Conduct field investigations and site inspections to document conditions and collect relevant evidence
• Prepare written technical reports, presentations, demonstrative exhibits, and other client deliverables
• Support expert witness activities through research, technical analysis, and case management
• Participate in multidisciplinary investigations involving human factors, biomechanics, engineering, accident reconstruction, and failure analysis
• Present technical findings to clients, attorneys, insurance carriers, and other stakeholders
• Assist with proposal preparation, business development, and client relationship management
• Manage multiple consulting projects while meeting quality, schedule, and budget expectations

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Human Factors, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Kinesiology, Engineering Psychology, or a closely related discipline
• Strong academic record with research experience in human performance, cognition, perception, decision-making, or related areas
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, research methodology, and interpretation of scientific data
• Expertise in one or more areas such as human perception, attention and distraction, cognitive workload, driver behavior, human-machine interaction, warning effectiveness, transportation safety, workplace ergonomics, consumer product safety, or situational awareness
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within multidisciplinary consulting teams
• Willingness to travel for inspections, testing, client meetings, and depositions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in forensic consulting, litigation support, or accident investigation
• Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific research
• Familiarity with ANSI, ASTM, ISO, SAE, OSHA, NHTSA, MUTCD, or other applicable industry standards
• Experience preparing expert reports or supporting expert witness testimony
• Prior consulting or expert witness experience

Preferred Software Experience

• SPSS
• R
• Python
• MATLAB
• JMP
• SAS
• Eye tracking tools
• Tobii
• Driving simulators

Why Brillouin Consulting?

• Work alongside nationally recognized engineers, scientists, and technical experts
• Apply cutting-edge research to real-world forensic investigations
• Collaborate on multidisciplinary projects involving engineering, biomechanics, accident reconstruction, and human factors
• Develop consulting, client management, and expert witness skills
• Build a career that combines scientific research with meaningful real-world impact
• Contribute to complex investigations that help clients solve challenging technical problems
• Receive a competitive compensation and benefits package, including performance-based incentives, comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings, paid time off, and opportunities for long-term professional growth