A human factors engineer will often use a computer-aided design (CAD) software program.
A career as a human factors engineer is often suitable for someone with a creative mindset and a knack for optimizing products or machines. Basically, these individuals work to improve and improve the things that we human beings use on a daily basis. The goal of these engineers is to make things as safe, comfortable and efficient as possible. Generally speaking, at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related major is required to obtain a position in this field. Some typical duties of a human factors engineer include determining what factors people need in a product, testing existing products, identifying weaknesses, developing improvement strategies, and implementing those strategies on new projects.
One of the most important aspects of being a human factors engineer is determining what factors people need or want in a product. For example, if a person in the position is working to redesign a forklift, she might conduct research to find out what type of seat is most comfortable, where the controls should be placed, and how to make the operation safe. Identifying these needs is vital to making the product as practical and efficient as possible. This part of the job often involves working with other professionals, such as psychologists or industry experts.
Another part of this career involves testing existing products and identifying weaknesses. Again, in the case of redesigning a forklift, a human factors engineer can use surveys of forklift operators to identify the most common design complaints. He may also run some safety tests to determine what the potential dangers of use are. This step is necessary to improve ergonomics and design the best possible product.
Once a human factors engineer has a clear understanding of a product’s flaws, they will begin the process of developing improvement strategies. In most cases, he will brainstorm different possibilities and try various ideas. At times, he will also interact with industry professionals to determine how realistic and practical his ideas are. This part of the job serves as a preliminary step before creating new designs for a product.
Once you have some realistic improvements in mind, a human factors engineer will create new designs for a product. For example, you could design a forklift with a raised seat so drivers have a better view. He can also design a more stable structure to prevent the machine from tipping over. For this process, a human factors engineer will often use a computer-aided design (CAD) software program. Upon completion, products can begin manufacturing based on the improved design.