Associate Director - Human Factors Engineering (RAIL)

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• Lead the planning, execution, and integration of Human Factors activities across the full system lifecycle, from concept through to operation and maintenance. Establish HF design philosophies and strategies aligned with project and regulatory requirements. Act as technical lead on key rail and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with HF integration strategies and applicable standards (e.g. EN 50126, ISO 9241, RIS-7100, RSSB guidance).
• Experience producing Human Factors Integration Plans, Human Factors Issue Logs and Human Factors Assessment Report and experience of conducting assessments such as Hierarchal Task Analysis. Execute HF design development activities, including design reviews, mock-ups, simulators, and structured user feedback studies.
• Lead certification planning and develop compliance strategies for HF-related system elements. Provide expert input into RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) assurance activities.
• Translate regulatory and system requirements into clear, verifiable HF design and usability criteria. Conduct and review task analyses, HMI design assessments, usability testing, cognitive workload studies, and error management strategies.
• Develop, review, and approve certification-related documentation (e.g., Issue Papers, Equivalent Levels of Safety, Test Plans, Design Reports). Oversee planning and execution of HF-related test campaigns, including fabrication, witnessing, and compliance evidence.
• Interface with certification bodies and regulatory stakeholders to demonstrate compliance and resolve design queries. Drive human-centred design within multidisciplinary teams, ensuring HF is embedded in technical decisions and design trade-offs.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Human Factors, Ergonomics, or a closely related discipline
• A minimum of 12+ years’ professional experience in Human Factors, including at least 5 years in the rail or other regulated, safety-critical environments
• Significant experience applying Human Factors principles to UK and international rail programmes, with expert understanding of relevant standards (e.g., EN 50126, RIS-7100, RSSB guidance)
• Proven technical leadership in the delivery of HF activities, including HMI design, task and workload analysis, error management, human-system integration, and user-centred design
• Strong capability in interpreting and developing engineering specifications and HF compliance documentation
• UK Rail experience

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About AECOM 

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What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

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