Human Factors Research

AMA is seeking motivated and detail-oriented human factors research Summer Intern to join our team at Langley Research Center supporting NASA on the Research, Science, and Engineering Services (RSES) contract. We are seeking a Human Factors or Engineering intern to research the contribution of a second qualified aircraft crewmember to safety margin, and identify characteristics of automation that support positive pilot behaviors and operational actions. The Intern will work in the Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Branch at NASA Langley Research Center to 1) document the state of the art in understanding crew behaviors for managing variability in normal aircraft operations and 2) develop a research plan to fill critical identified knowledge gaps. Data will inform recommended best practices to encourage safety-producing pilot behaviors in modern transport category aircraft.

This is a part-time internship staring on June 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026.

Pay for this position is $23.10 to $33.85 per hour depending on education and location.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a review of research literature relevant to understanding 1) the contribution of a second qualified crewmember to safety margin and 2) the characteristics of automation that support positive pilot behaviors and operational actions.
• Identify and document critical gaps in the state of current knowledge based on this review
• Develop a research plan to fill critical knowledge gaps that includes test objectives, study design, and data collection and analysis procedures.
• Document plans to obtain institutional review board (IRB) approvals, recruit study participants, and prepare materials for data collection, if needed.

Requirements

• Graduate student in Human Factors or Engineering with a focus on human factors/human-systems integration.
• An understanding of quantitative and qualitative human subjects research methodologies.
• Must hold or be able to obtain CITI certification for conducting human-subjects research.
• Must be conversant with Microsoft Office applications and be familiar with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., MAXQDA).
• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited university are highly preferred. Must be able to report on-site at NASA Langley as needed (e.g., for critical meetings or other collaborative activities that require in-person presence), but a hybrid work arrangement is acceptable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Progress toward a graduate degree in a technical area of relevance to human behavior in complex systems.
• This position requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.