How do they match: Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

  • Usability Engineer
  • Usability Specialist
  • User Interface Designer

  • 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.

  • Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.
  • Analyze complex systems to determine potential for further development, production, interoperability, compatibility, or usefulness in a particular area, such as aviation.
  • Assess the user-interface or usability characteristics of products.
  • Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
  • Design or evaluate human work systems, using human factors engineering and ergonomic principles to optimize usability, cost, quality, safety, or performance.
  • 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.
  • Investigate theoretical or conceptual issues, such as the human design considerations of lunar landers or habitats.
  • Perform functional, task, or anthropometric analysis, using tools, such as checklists, surveys, videotaping, or force measurement.
  • 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.
  • Recommend workplace changes to improve health and safety, using knowledge of potentially harmful factors, such as heavy loads or repetitive motions.
  • Train users in task techniques or ergonomic principles.
  • Write, review, or comment on documents, such as proposals, test plans, or procedures.

  • Assess product or process usefulness.
  • Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.