Principal System Engineer – Human Factors & Ergonomics

System Engineer – Human Factors & Ergonomics

Mission

Performs Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) engineering activities throughout the full lifecycle of complex rail infrastructure and transportation projects. Ensures that human performance, user needs, operational effectiveness, safety, accessibility, and maintainability are integrated into system design, verification, validation, and operational acceptance. Applies systems engineering principles to optimize the interaction between people, technology, processes, and environments, supporting the delivery of safe, reliable, and user-centered rail systems.

Accountabilities

• Lead Human Factors and Ergonomics studies and assessments across all project phases, from concept development through operation and maintenance.
• Define and manage HFE requirements and ensure their integration into system, subsystem, and operational design.
• Conduct task analyses, workload assessments, usability evaluations, human error analyses, and operational assessments.
• Support the development of system architectures, operational concepts, procedures, control centers, driver-machine interfaces, passenger environments, and maintenance facilities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, operators, maintainers, safety specialists, and stakeholders to ensure human-centered design principles are effectively implemented.
• Contribute to hazard identification, safety assurance, and risk management activities, focusing on human performance and operational risks.
• Develop and maintain Human Factors deliverables, including HFE plans, analyses, assessments, compliance reports, and verification and validation evidence.
• Ensure compliance with applicable railway, human factors, accessibility, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise on Human Factors and Ergonomics issues across projects and engineering disciplines.
• Support design reviews, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness activities to verify that systems meet user and operational requirements.

Performance Criteria

• Applies advanced Human Factors and Ergonomics knowledge to solve complex technical and operational challenges.
• Works independently with minimal supervision, managing HFE activities and interfaces across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Produces high-quality engineering deliverables that comply with project requirements, industry standards, and systems engineering processes.
• Identifies, assesses, and mitigates human performance risks through structured analysis and evidence-based recommendations.
• Effectively engages with stakeholders to balance operational, safety, technical, and user requirements.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and contributes to the continuous improvement of Human Factors and Systems Engineering practices.
• Demonstrates sound engineering judgement in resolving complex issues affecting usability, accessibility, safety, maintainability, and operational performance.
• Contributes to the successful delivery of projects through the application of human-centered design principles and lifecycle assurance activities.

Typical Areas of Expertise

• Human Factors Integration (HFI)
• Human Reliability Analysis (HRA)
• Task Analysis and Workload Assessment
• User-Centered Design
• Ergonomic Assessment
• Driver and Operator Interfaces
• Control Room and Workplace Design
• Accessibility and Inclusive Design
• Safety and Human Error Analysis
• Verification & Validation (V&V)
• Systems Integration and Operational Readiness
• Railway Operations and Maintenance Human Factors