16 Human Factors Engineer Skills for Your Career and Resume

Human factors engineers are professionals who design products and systems with the goal of improving human performance and safety. They have a wide range of skills that they use to assess human behavior, identify problems and develop solutions. If you’re interested in a career as a human factors engineer, it’s important to understand the skills that are necessary for success in this field.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the study of how people think and process information. This skill can help you understand how users interact with products, which can allow you to design interfaces that are more user-friendly. You may also use cognitive psychology when conducting research on human behavior in certain situations. For example, if you’re designing a new car model, you might observe how drivers react to different types of controls or warning signals to ensure your product is safe.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of your work and materials. As a human factors engineer, you may need to organize research data, files and other information related to your projects. Strong organizational skills can help you stay on task and complete your work efficiently. You might also use organization when creating new processes or procedures for employees to follow.

Workplace Safety

Human factors engineers are responsible for ensuring that the products they design are safe and secure. They use their knowledge of workplace safety to ensure that the equipment they create is free from hazards, such as sharp edges or electrical fires. They also analyze how a product might affect its user’s health and wellbeing. For example, if an engineer designs a new car seat, they consider how it affects the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As a human factors engineer, you may be tasked with improving existing products or creating new ones. This requires identifying any challenges that may arise during production and developing solutions for them. For example, if a product has a high rate of failure, you may work with engineers to find ways to improve it.

Attention to Detail

Human factors engineers must be able to notice and understand the details of a product or system. This is because they often conduct research on how people interact with products, which requires them to pay close attention to their surroundings. For example, when observing how someone interacts with a computer mouse, a human factors engineer would need to observe where the person places their hand while using it and what parts of the mouse they touch most frequently.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information in a way that others can understand. As a human factors engineer, you may need to communicate with clients and colleagues about your work. This means being able to explain technical concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. It also means communicating clearly through written documents or emails.

Product Design

Human factors engineers use their product design skills to create new products that are safe and easy to use. They may work with a team of designers, engineers and other professionals to develop new technology or software. For example, if an automobile manufacturer wants to build a car with advanced safety features, the human factors engineer might help design the car’s interior so it’s comfortable for passengers while also ensuring the driver can easily see all controls.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves and interacts with its environment. Human factors engineers use biomechanical skills to design products that are safe for people to interact with. For example, if a human factors engineer designs an automobile, they might consider how the car’s features affect the driver’s ability to control the vehicle safely.

User Research

User research is the process of observing and interacting with users to understand their needs. As a human factors engineer, you might conduct user research before designing an interface or product to ensure it meets people’s expectations. You can also use this skill when evaluating existing products to determine if they meet consumer needs. This information can help you create more effective interfaces and products in the future.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their environment. As a human factors engineer, you might be tasked with designing equipment that can reduce workplace injuries and improve employee comfort. This requires an understanding of ergonomic principles, which include creating workstations that fit employees’ body types and providing tools that minimize repetitive motion.

Usability Testing

Usability testing is the process of evaluating a product’s ease of use. Human factors engineers often conduct usability tests to determine how easy it is for users to navigate through an interface or operate a machine. This information can help engineers make changes to improve the user experience and ensure that their designs are safe and effective.

Analytical Skills

Human factors engineers use their analytical skills to evaluate the usability of a product. They analyze how people interact with different aspects of a product, such as its controls and display screens. This requires them to think critically about how people might react to certain features or design elements. For example, they may consider whether a particular control is easy for users to reach or if it’s confusing to navigate through menus on a screen.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas and solutions. Human factors engineers often use creativity when designing products that are easy to use. For example, if a company wants to create a new smartphone, a human factors engineer might suggest adding larger buttons or changing the shape of the phone so it’s easier for people with large fingers to hold.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is the ability to create documents that explain complex topics in a way that most people can understand. As a human factors engineer, you may need to write reports and proposals about your work or research. This requires strong technical writing skills so that others can understand your ideas and suggestions. You also might use technical writing when creating training materials for employees who will be using the products you design.

Human Factors Analysis

Human factors analysis is the process of evaluating a product or system to ensure it’s safe and easy to use. This involves observing people interacting with an object, device or interface and recording their actions and reactions. You can then make suggestions for changes that will improve the user experience. Human factors engineers often conduct human factors analysis before designing new products to ensure they’re safe and effective.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis is the ability to interpret data and make conclusions based on it. This skill can be useful in human factors engineering because you may need to analyze data from user testing to determine how a product performs or if there are any issues with its design. For example, if you’re working on a new car model, you might observe users’ driving habits to see if they have an equal amount of accidents as other models.

How Can I Learn These Human Factors Engineer Skills?

There are a few ways to learn the skills necessary to become a human factors engineer. One way is to take courses in cognitive psychology, biomechanics, and ergonomics. Another way is to read books and articles on the subject. Finally, you can attend workshops and conferences on human factors engineering.