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Human Factor Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... human factor / usability engineering Experience developing and iterating on industrial design concepts for manufactured systems Prior experience working with startups and with a local network

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... human factor / usability engineering Experience developing and iterating on industrial design concepts for manufactured systems Prior experience working with startups and with a local network ...

System Engineer - Navy Validator

San Diego, CA

$60.75 - $74.50/hr

Coordinate with government engineers to oversee, maintain, develop, and implement technical standards within the Human Factor Domain. Provide security related advice and assistance to system ...

Work closely with industrial and product designers, fellow human factors researchers, electrical and mechanical engineers, and program management so that form factor evaluations answer the questions ...

You will have the chance to contribute to the development of our Finance engineering team and grow ... Maintenance: adapt, improve, stabilize and automate the platform; help reduce the human factor and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Human Factor Engineering information

See salary details

$26.5K

$44.2K

$60K

How much do human factor engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for human factor engineering in the United States is $44,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $48,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a human factor engineer do?

A human factor engineer studies how people interact with systems, products, and environments to improve safety, usability, and performance. They analyze user behavior, conduct ergonomic assessments, and design interfaces or processes that enhance human efficiency and reduce errors, often using tools like usability testing and ergonomic standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Human Factors Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Human Factors Engineer, you need a solid background in human-computer interaction, ergonomics, and cognitive psychology, typically supported by a degree in engineering, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with usability testing tools, data analysis software (such as SPSS or MATLAB), and design systems is often required. Strong analytical thinking, user empathy, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and advocate for user-centered design. These abilities are crucial for creating safe, efficient, and user-friendly products or systems that meet both user needs and organizational goals.

What is the difference between Human Factor Engineering vs Human Factors Specialist?

AspectHuman Factor EngineeringHuman Factors Specialist
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in ergonomics or human factorsDegree in psychology, human factors, or ergonomics; certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, engineering teams, product development settingsResearch facilities, consulting firms, healthcare, or corporate environments
Industry UsageProduct design, aerospace, automotive, healthcare devicesUsability testing, user research, safety analysis
Common Search IntentDesign-focused, technical solutionsResearch and usability evaluation

Human Factor Engineering primarily involves applying engineering principles to design systems and products that optimize human interaction. In contrast, Human Factors Specialists focus on researching and analyzing user behavior to improve usability and safety. Both roles often collaborate but differ in their core approach: engineering versus research and analysis.

What is Human Factor Engineering?

Human Factor Engineering, also known as ergonomics, is the discipline focused on understanding how people interact with systems, products, and environments. It aims to design processes, tools, and spaces that optimize human well-being and overall system performance. By taking into account human abilities and limitations, Human Factor Engineers help reduce errors, increase efficiency, and improve safety and user satisfaction in various industries such as healthcare, aviation, and manufacturing.

How does a Human Factors Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

Human Factors Engineers work closely with designers, engineers, product managers, and sometimes marketing teams to ensure that products are user-friendly and meet ergonomic standards. They often participate in design reviews, conduct user research, and provide feedback to integrate human-centered principles into the development process. Effective collaboration involves frequent communication, presenting user testing results, and advocating for design adjustments based on user data. This teamwork is crucial for creating products that are both effective and safe for end users.

What kind of job can you get with a human factors degree?

A human factors degree prepares individuals for roles such as human factors specialist, user experience designer, ergonomist, or usability analyst. These jobs involve improving product design, user interfaces, and safety by applying principles of psychology, engineering, and design, often requiring skills in research, testing, and data analysis.

How much money does a human factors engineer make?

A human factors engineer typically earns a median annual salary of around $85,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in usability testing, ergonomics, or design may earn higher salaries, often exceeding $130,000 annually.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

In human factor engineering and related fields, high-paying roles such as senior ergonomics engineers, research directors, or consultants in specialized industries can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership responsibilities. These positions often require advanced degrees, strong expertise in user-centered design, and experience with complex systems or safety-critical environments.
More about Human Factor Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Human Factor Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Human Factor Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Human Factor Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Human Factor Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Human Factor Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Human Factor Engineering jobs are:
Infographic showing various Human Factor Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,245 per year, or $21.3 per hour.
Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

MLS Technologies

Apex, NC • On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to work alongside our growing engineering and scientific team in its NC office. This person will lead a broad set of development objectives. This person will lead a team of mechanical engineers, will manage project requirements for our systems and its mechanical designs, and will track open issues with the hardware designs. The ideal candidate is an experienced professional looking to apply their skills toward optimizing system and app interoperability for our transformational capabilities. They work well in a fast-paced and high-performance team.
Lead prototyping of compact, wearable systems that involve electronic components, rigid-flex PCBs, batteries, RF protection, flexible and rigid system casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin interfacing materials
Work with electrical engineers to integrate PCB components with flexible or rigid enclosure designs that conform to the human body
Coordinate task management among mechanical team members
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and support hiring processes for the mechanical team
Design system protections for water ingress to depths hundreds of feet underwater and corrosion protection from salt spray and seawater
Identify and qualify domestic and international manufacturing sources for our systems with a focus on manufacturing for scale and commercialization
Check prototype and manufactured parts for accuracy to design intent and engineering tolerances
Translate user needs and functional requirement documents into specific design implementations
Design test fixtures, molds, manufacturing jigs, and related subsystems to build, test, and validate prototype systems using in-house 3D printed and molded components
Follow best practices for design controls and quality management systems including version control, configuration management, secure and compliant data storage and handling
Coordinate prototyping recipes and practices between engineering team and external manufacturing, material supply, and engineering vendors
Provide support to customers on-site and remotely for stage-gated device test milestones
Report to the Director of Engineering
Job Requirements
Minimum Security Clearance:
Confidential
Minimum Qualifications:
B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field
Eight or more years industry experience in design for wearable monitoring systems or medical devices
Significant capability with Solidworks for designing rigid or flexible enclosures, molds, test fixtures, and optical interfaces
Strong knowledge of safety, performance, and regulatory compliance requirements of medical devices, such as IEC 60601, ISO 10993, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62366, and related FDA guidance
Experience in scaling up prototypes toward production
Experience with rapid prototyping processes, including creating fixtures, molds, and prototype subassemblies
Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Assembly (DFA), and Test (DFT) practices
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience designing waterproof and corrosion-resistant products
Design experience with systems interfacing with the human body
Experience working with medical-grade, skin-contacting adhesives, silicones, and foams
Experience with human factor / usability engineering
Experience developing and iterating on industrial design concepts for manufactured systems
Prior experience working with startups and with a local network