Human Factors Specialist — Aviation Programs

Aertron, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aertron, Inc. in Washington, DC is seeking a Human Factors Specialist to apply human factors methods to aviation systems, interfaces, and automation, ensuring human-centered design across NAS modernization efforts and AAM considerations.

You will conduct task analyses, usability evaluations, and human-in-the-loop studies, producing analyses and briefing materials for government and industry partners, with a clear path to certification.

Qualifications

• Master’s in Human Factors, Engineering Psychology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years applying human factors methods to complex systems.
• Experience with task analysis, workload measurement, usability testing, or human-in-the-loop simulation.
• Working knowledge of human-automation interaction principles for safety-critical systems.
• Strong technical writing and ability to produce analyses for government/regulatory review.
• Ability to obtain and maintain government suitability/public trust.

Responsibilities

• Apply human factors principles to design, evaluation, and assessment of aviation systems and interfaces.
• Conduct analyses including task analysis, workload, usability testing, and human reliability.
• Support human-in-the-loop studies, simulations, and field evaluations with study plans and data protocols.
• Assess human-automation interaction and human-AI considerations for emerging technologies.
• Contribute requirements and findings to evaluation plans, reports, and certification documentation.
• Translate HF findings into actionable design and operational recommendations for stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing materials and participate in meetings with government and program partners.
• Stay current with aviation HF guidance and standards such as HF-STD-001 and AC 25.1302.

Skills

Human factors methods

Task analysis

Usability testing

Human-in-the-loop simulation

Technical writing

Government eligibility

Education

Master’s degree in Human Factors or related

Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience

Job description

Human Factors Specialist - Aviation Programs

Location: Washington, D.C. (Hybrid - Remote with On-Site as Required)

Company: Aertron, Inc.

Clearance Level: Suitability / Public Trust

Position Overview

Aertron, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business specializing in aviation safety, regulatory strategy, and AI/ML integration for safety-critical systems. Aertron supports government and industry partners across aviation research, evaluation, certification, and modernization initiatives spanning the National Airspace System (NAS) and emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

Aertron is seeking a Human Factors Specialist to keep the human at the center of aviation systems as new technologies - including AI/ML-enabled tools and AAM operations - are integrated into the NAS. You will apply human factors science to system design, evaluation, and certification-related activities, assessing how pilots, controllers, operators, and maintainers interact with systems under real operational demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply human factors principles and methods to the design, evaluation, and assessment of aviation systems, interfaces, procedures, and automation.
• Conduct human factors analyses including task analysis, workload assessment, usability evaluation, and human error/human reliability analysis.
• Support human-in-the-loop studies, simulations, and field evaluations; develop study plans, measures, and data collection protocols.
• Assess human-automation interaction and human-AI teaming considerations for emerging aviation technologies and decision-support tools.
• Contribute human factors requirements, evaluation criteria, and findings to research plans, evaluation reports, and certification-related documentation.
• Translate human factors findings into actionable design and operational recommendations for government and industry stakeholders.
• Support development of briefing materials and participate in technical meetings with government and program partners.
• Stay current with aviation human factors guidance, standards, and research (e.g., HF-STD-001, AC 25.1302, human factors considerations for AAM).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Factors, Engineering Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Cognitive Science, or related field; or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience applying human factors methods to complex systems.
• Demonstrated experience with human factors evaluation methods: task analysis, workload and situation awareness measures, usability testing, or human-in-the-loop simulation.
• Working knowledge of human-automation interaction principles and their application to safety-critical systems.
• Strong technical writing skills; experience producing analyses and reports suitable for government or regulatory review.
• Ability to obtain and maintain government suitability/public trust.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aviation human factors - flight deck, air traffic control, UAS/UAM operations, or maintenance human factors.
• Familiarity with aviation human factors standards and guidance, or certification processes.
• Experience with human factors considerations for AI/ML-enabled systems or advanced automation.
• Experience in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM)/AAM industry.

Aertron, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position may require access to sensitive information and systems.

Aertron, Inc. does not engage third-party recruiters or staffing agencies. Unsolicited agency resumes will not be eligible for fees.