Human Factors Specialist

Northern Gas Networks; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 10%

25 days annual leave

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Northern Gas Networks is hiring a Human Factors Specialist. You will embed human factors thinking at every level to make safety a mindset. You will influence culture, engage leaders and regulators, and travel across the network with a valid UK driving license.

The role blends advisory work, project leadership and reporting, with a focus on safety systems integration and fatigue-aware design. Hybrid working; offices in Leeds or Sunderland.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of health & safety legislation in safety-critical industries.
• Hands-on application of human factors in operations.
• Ergonomics, fatigue management, task/shift design, human error reduction.
• Ability to influence behaviours and drive cultural change.
• Experience integrating human factors into safety systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist human factors advice to managers and teams across the business.
• Drive culture and behaviour change programmes within the organisation.
• Embed human factors principles into safety systems and investigations.
• Analyse work, design safe job/shift patterns, and manage fatigue risks.
• Lead cross-business safety projects and improvement campaigns.
• Deliver clear, actionable reports to senior leaders and regulators.
• Engage with external stakeholders such as the HSE and industry groups.

Skills

Health & safety legislation

Human factors

Ergonomics

Fatigue management

Task & shift design

Human error reduction

Influence behaviours

Safety systems integration

Communication & engagement

Analytical & problem solving

Education

BSc Human Factors / Ergonomics / Organisational Psychology

IEHF member

Job description

Salary from £64,454 (Dependent on Experience) + Up to 10% Bonus
1 Permanent Position, 40 Hours Per Week
Hybrid Working -Based at our offices in Thorpe Park, Leeds or Doxford Park, Sunderland

Shape a safer future by putting people at the heart of how we work

As a Human Factors Specialist at Northern Gas Networks (NGN), you will embed human factors thinking at every level of our organisation, making safety not just a process, but a mindset.

You will shape culture, influence behaviours and make a real impact on safety outcomes, advising managers, leading cross-business projects and engaging with senior leaders, regulators and industry groups.

A full UK driving licence is a requirement for this role, as travel will be expected across our network

In this role you will

• Human Factors Expertise - provide specialist advice to managers and teams across the business
• Culture & Behaviour Change - drive programmes that foster a learning and fair culture through culture and behaviour change initiatives
• Safety Systems Integration - embed human factors principles into processes and investigations
• Task & Shift Design - analyse work, design safe job/shift patterns, and manage fatigue risks
• Project Leadership - lead cross-business safety projects and improvement campaigns
• Reporting & Insights - deliver clear, actionable reports to senior leaders and regulators
• Industry Engagement - act as a point of contact and engage with external stakeholders, such as the HSE and industry groups

We are looking for

• Strong knowledge of health & safety legislation in safety-critical industries
• Hands-on experience applying human factors principles in real-world operations
• Expertise in ergonomics, fatigue management, task and shift design, and human error reduction
• Proven ability to influence behaviours and drive cultural and organisational change
• Skilled in integrating human factors into safety systems, processes, and investigations
• Excellent communication and engagement skills across all levels, from engineers to senior leaders and regulators
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with a practical approach to complex issues

Qualifications & Requirements

• BSc Human Factors / Ergonomics / Organisational Psychology or equivalent
• Member of IEHF

Desirable: NEBOSH Certificate

Ready to make a real impact? Join us and help shape a safer future where people and safety come first

We encourage early applications, as the vacancy may close before the advertised deadline once we have received enough suitable candidates

Why join NGN?

• Salary from £64,454 per annum (DOE)
• Annual bonus of up to 10%, recognising your contribution and performance
• 25 days of annual leave, plus recognised bank holidays and 2 additional half-days over the Christmas period
• Occupational sick pay available after the first 2 calendar days of statutory sick pay
• Generous stakeholder pension scheme, doubling your contribution, up to 10%
• Flexible benefits and salary sacrifice options, including discounts on UK attractions, gym memberships, restaurants, experience days, plus access to a virtual GP service
• Family-friendly policies, including up to 6 weeks of paternity leave and 6 months of full pay for maternity leave (for eligible employees), plus shared parental leave and more

About NGN

We deliver gas to 2.9 million homes and businesses across the North East, Northern Cumbria, and much of Yorkshire, through a network of over 37,000km of underground pipes. Serving both major cities and rural communities, we are committed to safety, reliability, and innovation. Our values –Trailblazing, Empowered, Heartfelt, Community Focused, Intellectually Curious, andHappy, shape everything we do. We are proud to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and actively support initiatives alongside our Colleague Communities (LGBTQ/Women’s/Roots&Resonance/Parents&Carers/AbilityMatters) to ensure we reflect and uplift the communities we serve.