Human factors specialist (L7)

This occupation is found in the defence and security, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare sectors.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to make systems, products, tasks, jobs, organisations and work environments better for their intended users. The occupation is also referred to as Ergonomics and it is broadly accepted that the terms ‘ergonomics’ and ‘human factors’ can be used interchangeably. The role involves the application of scientific information about the capabilities of human beings to the design of equipment, working practices, organisations and working environments in order to make people’s jobs safer, more efficient and more productive. Human Factors Specialists are found in a broad range of occupational sectors. For example, they may contribute to the design of power plant control rooms in the energy sector in order to minimise the risk of human error. In the defence sector they might contribute to the design of a fast jet cockpit ensuring that the pilot can use all the information, control the systems and make optimal decisions under high pressure. In the transportation sector they may support the design of a railway carriage layout; ensuring the comfort and safe accommodation of passengers. In a manufacturing context, a Human Factors Specialist may be involved in the design of production line processes, including the definition of line workers’ tasks and the physical layout of the equipment. Similarly, in the healthcare sector a Human Factors Specialist may be involved in the design of human computer interfaces (HCI) on medical devices such as scanners and X-ray machines. Across all sectors the common aim is to ensure that users of a system or process can perform their tasks safely and effectively, often in demanding and stressful environments.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with End Users of systems (e.g. military personnel, pilots, plant operators, radiographers etc.) in order to understand their goals and performance objectives and accommodate features into the design to enable them to achieve these aims. They may also advise experts in specialist fields (such as safety) on the characteristics of Human Performance in given situations. They are also likely to interact with programme managers, customer representatives, suppliers, colleagues in other business functions (e.g. engineering, legal), researchers and academics, Government agencies and regulators. Their daily work is mainly office based with occasional laboratory or field based trials and offsite visits to industrial sites and offices.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading human factors elements of projects or programmes to create optimum products or processes that meet the needs of the users and ensure the required operational performance. They will be responsible for the application of specialist methodologies, tools and techniques across the full lifecycle of the system (i.e. from initial concepts, through manufacture and in-service phases to disposal). They may work autonomously but are more likely to be part of wider multidisciplinary teams, typically reporting to project or programme leaders or to a head of human factors. They will typically have responsibility for the human factors team budget for each project. The size of the role is project dependent and may vary from providing a short period of expert consultancy to leading a team of human factors professionals on a large development project over a number of years..

Ergonomist
An Ergonomist applies principles of human performance and design to optimise workplaces, products, and systems, improving safety, comfort, and efficiency.

Human Factors Consultant
A Human Factors Consultant advises organisations on human-centred design, risk reduction, and system usability to enhance performance, safety, and user experience.

Human Factors Engineer
A Human Factors Engineer designs and evaluates systems, tools, and interfaces to ensure they align with human capabilities, limitations, and cognitive processes.

Human Factors Practitioner
A Human Factors Practitioner applies human factors methods in real-world settings to improve operational safety, system reliability, and organisational performance.

Human Factors Specialist
A Human Factors Specialist provides advanced expertise in analysing human-system interaction, supporting complex projects across high-risk and safety-critical industries.

MBDA UK, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), Cavendish Nuclear, Frazer Nash Consultants, British Marine Technologies, K Sharp, Ronin, QinetiQ, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), BAE Systems, EDF Energy

K1: The theoretical application of human sciences to the engineering and design of products, processes, and systems, drawing on psychology, physiology, human biology, biomechanics, and cognitive science.

K2: Numerical, analytical, and critical analysis techniques for Human-System Analysis and Assessment, including an understanding of the limitations of these techniques.

K3: Qualitative and quantitative approaches and techniques for effective user engagement.

K4: Design principles, methods, and limitations for systems design and sociotechnical system design.

K5: Human factors principles applied to Human–Machine Interface (HMI) design.

K6: Human capability and limitations in the design and evaluation of physical ergonomics.

K7: Robotic, Intelligent, and Autonomous Systems (RIAS) and associated human factors considerations.

K8: Principles of Human Factors Integration and Human System Integration.

K9: National and international human factors standards and associated guidance.

K10: Legal requirements, including statutory, national, international, and sector-specific legislation and regulation.

K11: Research design, ethical and environmental practice in research, and qualitative and quantitative research approaches.

K12: Principles and processes of Human-Centred Design.

K13: Product, service, and system lifecycles, including planning, development, preparation, utilisation, and retirement.

K14: Project management techniques for delivery, including planning, resource management, cost and budget control, risk management, and quality assurance.

K15: Teamwork and leadership principles, including negotiation techniques, conflict management, development methods, and considerations of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

K16: Time management techniques applicable to professional practice.

K17: Communication techniques, including oral, written, and presentation skills.

K18: The implications of the wider business and engineering context on human factors, including safety, environmental protection, sustainability, ethics, economic responsibility, social responsibility, and technological advancement.

K19: Inclusive and accessible design principles and practices.

K20: Techniques for user trials and experimentation appropriate to human factors design.

S1: Select and apply appropriate human factors methodologies to meet defined project requirements.

S2: Use computer-based tools to support the design, analysis, evaluation, and validation of jobs, interfaces, tasks, and environments, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Task Analysis, Anthropometric Modelling, Workload Analysis, HCI/User Interface Design, and Prototyping.

S3: Develop and articulate requirements that are Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Timebound (SMART).

S4: Identify and comply with legal, statutory, and other relevant legislation, regulations, and standards to inform and constrain design and engineering decisions.

S5: Design, plan, and execute user trials and experimentation.

S6: Collect, analyse, and interpret data using numerical, analytical, and critical analysis techniques.

S7: Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders in multidisciplinary teams using a range of methods, including oral, written, and presentation formats.

S8: Plan, manage, and lead projects to achieve defined objectives.

S9: Produce professional documentation, including assessments, risk registers, plans, specifications, and assurance cases.

S10: Plan and undertake research activities to meet project requirements.

S11: Make technical decisions related to human factors engineering, considering project impact and delegated authority.

S12: Apply human factors design principles in the development of effective solutions.

S13: Plan and manage personal time effectively to meet project and professional demands.

S14: Integrate human factors programmes of work within broader engineering programmes.

S15: Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills, including negotiation techniques, conflict management, development approaches, and consideration of diversity, equality, and inclusion.

B1: Adapt effectively and demonstrate resilience when faced with challenging or changing situations.

B2: Act consistently in a professional and ethical manner in all areas of practice.

B3: Lead by example and act as an advocate for human-centred and inclusive design practices.

B4: Prioritise quality assurance and actively promote continuous improvement practices.

B5: Lead by example to encourage innovation and challenge existing practices where improvement is possible.

B6: Collaborate effectively and promote teamwork across disciplines and professional boundaries.

B7: Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.