Senior Consultant - Human Factors

Job Description

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

• 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.

Required Competencies & Experience

• A relevant undergraduate or master’s degree in 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.
• At least five years’ experience as a Human Factors adviser in complex, high reliability environments; including at least two years in the rail environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication, consultation, and facilitation skills.
• A proactive, organised approach and commitment to producing high quality work with a high level of attention to detail.

Desirable Skills

• 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 (qualitative and quantitative)
• 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 compliance.
• Experience in safety assurance, safety case development and CSM processes.
• Experience in control rooms, traffic management systems, automation or high‑reliability environments.

Benefits

Work‑life balance: flexible hybrid working, two days a week from home, plus opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging: a supportive environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work, with employee resource groups fostering inclusion.

Health & Well‑being: Thrive programme, virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme offering up to 40% off gym memberships, and a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time: “WSP My Hour” allows taking an hour each day for personal activities, with flexible arrangement to make up the time.

Flexible working arrangements, part‑time options, ability to purchase additional leave, use of bank holiday entitlement, training, mentoring, and Chartership opportunities.

We are excited to consider candidates who bring expertise in human‑centered design and a passion for improving rail safety and performance.

Here at WSP 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.

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