Senior Consultant - Human Factors

We are seeking an experienced Senior Human Factors Consultant to join our team. In this role, you will manage multiple projects, support junior colleagues, and ensure high-quality delivery. You will lead work from bids through to completion, working closely with clients to understand objectives, build strong relationships, and manage resources, costs, and work packages. You will deliver projects assessing human performance risks and developing human-centred design solutions. Working with clients such as Network Rail, Hitachi, RSSB, and Transport for London, you will support major programmes across infrastructure, rolling stock, control rooms, accessibility, and digital railway technologies.

Your expertise in Human Factors Integration and risk-based analysis will guide multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety, efficiency, and accessibility.

Examples of Current Projects Include:

• RSSB research projects such as the Development of a Control Communications maturity framework to enable railway operators to assess communications effectiveness within and beyond Control Centres.
• Supporting the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in reviewing accessibility and inclusive cases across the GB rail network.
• Human Factors Integration and progressive assurance activities on major infrastructure and rolling stock programmes.
• Supporting the design and assurance of modern control rooms and traffic management systems for automated railway operations – HS2, Metro Manila.
• Accessibility and PRM compliance assessments for stations, depots and rolling stock.
• ETCS and digital railway programmes, supporting safe introduction of new technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Human Factors Integration planning.
• Management of progressive assurance activities and evidence.
• Management of Human Factors issues/risks and derived design requirements.
• Identification and application of appropriate industry standards and good practice guidance.
• Scoping and delivery of appropriate Human Factors activities and methodologies, including task analysis, human error assessment, workload assessment, workstation and interface design, alerts and alarms management.

Key Competencies and Experience:

• A relevant undergraduate or master’s degree in a subject related to Human Factors/Ergonomics, Psychology, Systems Engineering, or similar.
• Chartered member status with the CIEHF, or evidence of equivalent experience and competencies to achieve this in the short term.
• A genuine interest in how we optimise human performance; including evidence of modules of study covering topics such as ergonomics, human-system interface design, human performance, psychology, or similar.
• At least five years’ experience as a Human Factors adviser to organisations operating in complex, high reliability environments; including at least two years demonstrated experience within the rail environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication, consultation, and facilitation skills and the ability to deal effectively with people at all levels.
• A proactive, organised approach and a commitment to producing high quality work with a high level of attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and other task analysis techniques.
• Human Error Identification and Risk Assessment (e.g. SHERPA, HEART or equivalent structured approaches).
• Workload analysis (e.g. qualitative and quantitative workload assessment techniques).
• Anthropometric assessment and accommodation analysis.
• Digital human modelling.
• Sight-line and visibility assessment.
• Human-machine interface (HMI) evaluation and design review.
• Usability evaluation and user trials.
• Experience in accessibility and PRM-TSI or NTSN compliance.
• Experience in safety assurance, safety case development and CSM processes.
• Experience in control rooms, traffic management systems, automation or high-reliability operational environments.

Benefits:

• Work-life balance: Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, we offer WSP My Hour allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We invest in your growth through training, mentoring, or chartership.

Equal Employment Opportunity: We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.