Human Factors Engineers & Ergonomists

design information investigative safety performance process human behavior procedure human factor engineering ergonomic principle

Engineer, Ergonomist, Human Factors Engineer, Occupational Ergonomist

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Aerospace Physiologist; Aircrew Flight Equipment Apprentice, Ejection Seat Aircraft; Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman, Non-Ejection Seat Aircraft; Aircrew Flight Equipment Helper, Non-Ejection Seat Aircraft; Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent; Developmental Engineer, Aeronautical; Developmental Engineer, C2ISREW; Developmental Engineer, Fighter; Developmental Engineer, Mechanical; Developmental Engineer, Special Operations
Operations Research/Systems Analysis; Research Psychology; Trained Operations Research/System Analysis (ORSA)
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Aerospace Experimental Psychologist; Aerospace Physiologist; Research Psychologist
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What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests.
  • Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
  • Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • design
  • product and service development

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Initiative
  • Concern for Others

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Web platform development software

  • AJAX Hot Technology
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSON Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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