Principal Human Factors Engineer

@ Leonardo

What you will do

Set strategy and governance for Human Factors Integration across programmes. Assure delivery of major Human Factors work packages and reviews ensuring quality, schedule, and compliance. Provide technical leadership and mentoring, guiding Human Factors practitioners and adjacent disciplines. Shape winning Human Factors propositions in bids and proposals. Plan and run human-in-the-loop simulations, trials, and usability studies while analyzing performance, workload, and error patterns to drive design actions. Act as the senior Human Factors point of contact for MOD and industry clients and partners, building long-term relationships. Identify opportunities for innovation and strengthen the Human Factors function and EW domain practice.

What You’ll Bring

Applicants must have a Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Human Factors, Ergonomics, Psychology or a related discipline along with Chartered status (or eligibility) with the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors. Extensive experience in leading Human Factors on mission-critical defence/aerospace programmes is essential. Deep proficiency in Human Factors methods including task analysis, usability, human performance, workload, error identification, anthropometrics, and ergonomic assessments is required. Proven experience in Human Machine Interface design and evaluation for operator consoles/mission systems along with demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring. A track record of leading Human Factors input into bids and complex proposals is vital along with strong stakeholder skills to influence and build trust among senior MOD and industry clients.

Helpful Tooling

Experience with requirement and delivery tools (e.g., DOORS, Jira, Confluence) and rapid HMI prototyping tools is advantageous.

Additional Information

This role is subject to pre-employment screening per the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and potentially additional National Security Vetting. Leonardo offers a comprehensive benefits package, flexible working arrangements with hybrid options, and opportunities for professional and personal development. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security with a strong presence in the UK including sites in Southampton, Basildon, and Luton.

Key skills/competency

• Human Factors
• Ergonomics
• Usability
• HMI
• Strategy
• Governance
• Leadership
• Mentoring
• Bid Management
• Defence