Human Factors Specialist

DCA Design International; Warwick; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid overtime

Professional development opportunities

Global impact projects

Job summary

DCA Design International seeks a Human Factors Specialist to help plan and lead human factors aspects across diverse product development projects. You will work collaboratively with teams across Medical, Transport, Consumer, and Industrial sectors to ensure user-centered outcomes.

The role emphasizes clear communication, autonomous work when needed, and potential travel to support projects. A formal Human Factors qualification and experience in multidisciplinary teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in Human Factors or User Centred Design.
• Experience applying human factors tools within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience planning and facilitating user studies.
• Excellent written and spoken communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan and potentially lead the human factors elements of projects.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across Medical, Transport, Consumer and Industrial sectors.
• Support business development and preparation of proposals.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Travel willingness

Human factors tools

User studies planning

Education

Human Factors degree

Job description

We are looking for human factor specialists to join our award-winning, multi-disciplinary, product development team! Are you a very special individual who shares a passion for both creativity and scientific rigour? We need someone who is comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. Someone who considers, and clearly articulates, the needs of a wide range of users to the wider project team. We are looking for someone who thrives in a team, but can also work autonomously. As a Human Factors Specialist, you would be expected to plan, and potentially lead, the human factors elements of a range of projects.

The role will involve supporting product development projects across our four sectors (Medical & scientific, Transport, Consumer, and Industrial commercial). These projects will be diverse, covering everything from toothbrushes to trains. Recent examples include next generation of connected medical devices, large-scale machines for treating cancer, automotive HMIs, aircraft cockpits, train cabs and interiors, and sustainable packaging solutions for the world’s leading FMCG brands. Through all these projects, our common purpose is to deliver commercially successful product design for our clients that both improves the lives of people and the impact on our planet.

WHAT WE OFFER

• The opportunity to work collaboratively with talented colleagues on fascinating design and development projects with global impact, often seeing the design through from initial specification to launch
• The opportunity to work with some of the world’s most exciting and innovative brands and companies, including Bentley, GSK, Hitachi, Reckitt, Rolls-Royce and Sanofi to tackle some of the most challenging issues
• The opportunity to work in a Registered Consultancy of the UK Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF) with the support of world-leading experts
• A great work life balance, with paid overtime for the occasions when extra help is needed
• The opportunity to grow with regular professional and technical development opportunities

WHAT WE EXPECT

• A formal qualification in Human Factors, User Centred Design or similar (e.g. BSc, MSc, PhD)
• Experience of applying human factors tools within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of planning and facilitating user studies
• Exceptional communication skills (on paper and in person)
• Willingness to travel (when safe to do so)
• Excellent time management skills, and the ability to split time across multiple projects

WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE

• Experience of leading the human factors aspects of a project (planning and conducting in-depth interviews, facilitating workshops, conducting desk-based assessments of design concepts)
• Experience of working in a creative environment (e.g. a design consultancy or in-house design team)
• Experience of developing medical devices (an understanding of FDA human factors guidelines, IEC62366 and the latest MDR requirements)
• Experience of working in highly regulated environments (e.g. rail, nuclear, etc.)
• Evidence of being a human factors evangelist – experience of supporting others in developing an understanding of the importance of human factors
• Experience supporting business development, including meeting with potential clients, and supporting the preparation of proposal documents
• Membership of a recognised Human Factors professional body (e.g. CIEHF, HFES) or working towards it
• A strong technical understanding (ideally with a qualification in Engineering and/or Design)

BENEFITS

• Competitive salaries – including paid overtime