Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
17-2112.01
Design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.
Sample of reported job titles: Certified Professional Ergonomist, Cognitive Engineer, Consulting Ergonomist, Ergonomic Consultant, Ergonomics Consultant, Ergonomics Technical Advisor, Ergonomist, Human Factors Advisor, Human Factors Engineer, Occupational Ergonomist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Design or evaluate human work systems, using human factors engineering and ergonomic principles to optimize usability, cost, quality, safety, or performance.
- Develop or implement human performance research, investigation, or analysis protocols.
- Recommend workplace changes to improve health and safety, using knowledge of potentially harmful factors, such as heavy loads or repetitive motions.
- Prepare reports or presentations summarizing results or conclusions of human factors engineering or ergonomics activities, such as testing, investigation, or validation.
- Inspect work sites to identify physical hazards.
- Collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests.
- Provide technical support to clients through activities, such as rearranging workplace fixtures to reduce physical hazards or discomfort or modifying task sequences to reduce cycle time.
- Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
- Perform functional, task, or anthropometric analysis, using tools, such as checklists, surveys, videotaping, or force measurement.
- Integrate human factors requirements into operational hardware.
- Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.
- Write, review, or comment on documents, such as proposals, test plans, or procedures.
- Train users in task techniques or ergonomic principles.
- Establish system operating or training requirements to ensure optimized human-machine interfaces.
- Develop or implement research methodologies or statistical analysis plans to test and evaluate developmental prototypes used in new products or processes, such as cockpit designs, user workstations, or computerized human models.
- Assess the user-interface or usability characteristics of products.
- Review health, safety, accident, or worker compensation records to evaluate safety program effectiveness or to identify jobs with high incidence of injury.
- Conduct research to evaluate potential solutions related to changes in equipment design, procedures, manpower, personnel, or training.
- Analyze complex systems to determine potential for further development, production, interoperability, compatibility, or usefulness in a particular area, such as aviation.
- Estimate time or resource requirements for ergonomic or human factors research or development projects.
- Apply modeling or quantitative analysis to forecast events, such as human decisions or behaviors, the structure or processes of organizations, or the attitudes or actions of human groups.
- Operate testing equipment, such as heat stress meters, octave band analyzers, motion analysis equipment, inclinometers, light meters, thermoanemometers, sling psychrometers, or colorimetric detection tubes.
- Provide human factors technical expertise on topics, such as advanced user-interface technology development or the role of human users in automated or autonomous sub-systems in advanced vehicle systems.
- Design cognitive aids, such as procedural storyboards or decision support systems.
- Investigate theoretical or conceptual issues, such as the human design considerations of lunar landers or habitats.
- Perform statistical analyses, such as social network pattern analysis, network modeling, discrete event simulation, agent-based modeling, statistical natural language processing, computational sociology, mathematical optimization, or systems dynamics.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software - AEMC DataView; Bit Debris Solutions Usability Activity Log; Dartfish ProSuite; Data Translation quickDAQ; IBM SPSS Statistics π₯; Mangold INTERACT; Mangold LogSquare; Mangold Soundalyzer; MathWorks Simulink; Noldus Information Technology FaceReader; Noldus Information Technology The Observer XT; Noldus Information Technology uLog Pro; Ovo Studios Ovo Logger; SAS π₯; Simulation software; Statistical software; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯; Thought Technology BioGraph Infiniti; Triangle Research Collaborative Observational Coding System OCS Tools
- Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD π₯; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks π₯
- Content workflow software - Atlassian JIRA π₯
- Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign π₯
- Development environment software - Microsoft Visual Basic π₯; National Instruments LabVIEW
- Document management software - Adobe Acrobat π₯
- Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook π₯
- Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML π₯
- Graphical user interface development software - Altia Design; Graphical user interface GUI design software; Seeing Machines faceLAB
- Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software π₯; Adobe Illustrator π₯; Adobe Photoshop π₯
- Internet browser software - Apple Safari; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Mozilla Firefox
- Object or component oriented development software - C++ π₯; jQuery π₯; Oracle Java π₯; Python π₯; R π₯
-
Office suite software -
Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software - Linux π₯
-
Presentation software -
Microsoft PowerPoint
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
- Program testing software - Debugging software; Regression testing software; TechSmith Morae; Usability testing software; User interface design software
-
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Video creation and editing software - TechSmith Camtasia
- Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver
- Web platform development software - AJAX π₯; Cascading style sheets CSS π₯; Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML; Hypertext markup language HTML π₯; JavaScript π₯; JavaScript Object Notation JSON π₯
- Word processing software - Microsoft Word π₯; Word processing software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
- Develop technical methods or processes.
- Devise research or testing protocols.
- Advise others on health and safety issues.
- Document design or operational test results.
- Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
- Research human performance or health factors related to engineering or design activities.
- Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
- Prepare proposal documents.
- Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
- Determine operational criteria or specifications.
- Assess product or process usefulness.
- Investigate safety of work environment.
- Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.
- Estimate time requirements for development or production projects.
- Create models of engineering designs or methods.
- Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
- Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
- Prepare procedural documents.