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Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

SOC 17-2112.01Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers human factors engineering and ergonomics practice across research, design, manufacturing, office, and safety-critical environments, from supervised entry-level data collection and task analysis through autonomous expert investigation to executive strategy, standard-setting, and discipline leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Direct observation protocols — collect baseline data on work activities under the guidance of a senior human factors engineer in a laboratory or field setting.
  2. User interview techniques — conduct structured interviews with end users to gather initial requirements and ergonomic concerns under supervisory direction.
  3. Physical hazard checklists — inspect worksite conditions for common ergonomic risks using standardized checklists within a manufacturing or office environment.
  4. Task analysis frameworks — apply established checklists and survey instruments to perform basic functional task analysis under close professional oversight.
  5. Anthropometric data sets — interpret and apply published anthropometric databases to inform preliminary design recommendations in a supervised research context.
  6. Technical report drafts — prepare initial findings summaries documenting human factors observations under direction from a project lead.
  7. Analytical software tools — enter and organize observational data using scientific analysis software as part of a structured study protocol.
  8. Ergonomic risk factors — recognize potentially harmful conditions such as repetitive motions or heavy loads and document findings for senior review.
  9. User-centered design vocabulary — communicate fundamental human factors principles clearly in written and oral form during team meetings and project briefings.
  10. CAD and diagramming software — produce basic workspace layout diagrams to support ergonomic assessments under the supervision of a licensed engineer.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Observational data collection — design and execute systematic direct observation studies of work activities with reduced oversight in industrial or office environments.
  2. Mixed-method user research — conduct and analyze structured surveys and interviews with diverse user populations to identify ergonomic needs and interface requirements.
  3. Worksite hazard assessment — perform independent physical hazard inspections and document findings using both quantitative and qualitative methods on active job sites.
  4. Functional and task analysis — apply videotaping, force measurement, and multi-method analysis to evaluate task sequences and workload in operational settings.
  5. Ergonomic recommendation reports — prepare detailed technical reports and presentations summarizing findings and actionable recommendations for management and design teams.
  6. Workplace modification support — provide direct technical support to clients by reconfiguring fixtures, workstations, or task sequences to reduce injury risk and cycle time.
  7. User advocacy in design reviews — represent end-user perspectives during interdisciplinary design reviews involving engineers, product managers, and UX designers.
  8. Statistical analysis of human performance — apply mathematical and scientific methods to interpret human performance data and validate ergonomic interventions.
  9. Systems evaluation participation — contribute to formal systems evaluation activities, assessing whether integrated designs meet established human factors standards.
  10. Graphics and documentation software — produce professional-grade visuals, interface mockups, and ergonomic diagrams using desktop publishing and graphics software for client deliverables.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. End-to-end observational research — independently design, conduct, and synthesize multi-site direct observation studies to support complex human factors investigations across diverse industries.
  2. Advanced user research programs — lead comprehensive interview and survey campaigns with large, heterogeneous user populations, synthesizing results into actionable human-centered design guidance.
  3. Holistic hazard identification — autonomously assess physical, cognitive, and organizational hazards across complex worksites, integrating findings into enterprise-level safety improvement plans.
  4. Comprehensive task and anthropometric analysis — execute full-scope functional, cognitive, and anthropometric analyses using advanced instrumentation and force measurement in operational environments.
  5. High-impact technical reporting — author peer-quality reports and executive-level presentations that translate complex human factors findings into clear, evidence-based design and policy recommendations.
  6. Systemic workplace redesign — develop and implement multi-faceted ergonomic intervention strategies addressing load, repetition, posture, and workflow for sustained health and productivity gains.
  7. Cross-disciplinary user advocacy — independently advocate for end-user requirements in collaboration with engineering, legal, and business stakeholders throughout the full product development lifecycle.
  8. Non-routine problem resolution — apply advanced deductive and inductive reasoning to diagnose and resolve novel human-system integration failures in safety-critical or high-complexity environments.
  9. Validation and systems analysis — lead formal human factors validation studies, evaluating whether complete sociotechnical systems meet regulatory and performance standards.
  10. Emerging technology integration — evaluate and deploy new analytical, CAD, and GUI development software tools to advance research methodology and deliverable quality on autonomous projects.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational human factors strategy — define and champion enterprise-wide human factors and ergonomics programs that align with long-term safety, productivity, and innovation goals.
  2. Research agenda leadership — establish organizational research priorities, allocate resources, and direct multidisciplinary teams in executing large-scale human factors studies across sectors.
  3. Practitioner development and mentoring — design curricula and mentor engineers, ergonomists, and UX researchers, elevating the profession's competency standards within the organization.
  4. Executive-level user advocacy — represent human-centered design imperatives at the executive and board level, influencing product strategy and regulatory compliance decisions.
  5. Industry standard and policy influence — lead or contribute to the development of national and international ergonomics standards, guidelines, and legislative frameworks.
  6. Complex systems risk governance — oversee hazard identification and risk mitigation frameworks for enterprise-scale or public-sector systems where human error carries catastrophic consequences.
  7. Client and stakeholder relationship stewardship — cultivate strategic partnerships with key clients, government agencies, and research institutions to expand organizational impact and funding.
  8. Cross-functional program integration — orchestrate alignment between human factors, engineering, operations, and clinical or manufacturing divisions to embed ergonomic principles throughout the product lifecycle.
  9. Innovation and methods advancement — pioneer new human factors methodologies, analytical models, and technology platforms that set the direction for the discipline at an industry level.
  10. Organizational learning systems — create knowledge management and continuous improvement systems ensuring that human factors insights from projects, incidents, and research are systematically captured and applied.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature review — uses an LLM to surface and summarize relevant ergonomics standards, prior research, and regulatory guidelines, then reads each source critically before citing it in reports Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic report drafting — feeds raw observation notes into an AI writing assistant to generate a first-draft summary of findings, then edits for technical accuracy and user-centered framing WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Survey instrument generation — directs an AI assistant to draft initial user interview or survey questions from a provided list of research objectives, then refines each item against established human factors methodology Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Hazard identification pre-screening — uses an LLM to cross-reference site inspection notes against known physical and cognitive hazard taxonomies, validating each flagged risk through direct on-site observation.
  3. Presentation scaffolding — instructs an AI tool to structure slide decks or executive summaries from conclusions already validated by the engineer, retaining authorship of all interpretive claims Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Complex problem decomposition — applies AI-assisted computational analysis to break multi-variable ergonomic problems (e.g., workload modeling, interface task analysis) into tractable sub-problems, then synthesizes outputs using domain expertise Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. User requirements synthesis — delegates the initial thematic coding of large interview or survey datasets to an AI tool, then critically audits coded themes against raw transcripts before advancing to design recommendations Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Iterative validation reporting — uses an LLM to draft successive versions of validation test reports, managing each revision cycle by specifying scope changes and checking outputs against test data and regulatory acceptance criteria WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Advocate brief preparation — employs AI to aggregate cross-disciplinary design constraints from engineering, safety, and UX documentation into a structured brief, then personally authors the human-centered argument presented to stakeholders.
Advanced
  1. End-to-end human factors workflow orchestration — directs AI agents across the full project lifecycle—requirements gathering, hazard analysis, usability testing synthesis, and final reporting—establishing explicit human review gates at every stage where user safety or regulatory compliance is implicated Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI output credibility evaluation — establishes team-level protocols for auditing LLM-generated ergonomic assessments, including source traceability checks and comparison against observational ground truth, ensuring AI-assisted conclusions meet professional and legal standards Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Novel methodology development — integrates AI-powered simulation or predictive modeling into human factors research designs, authoring the theoretical framework that defines what the model must represent and where its outputs require human interpretive override WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Computational Thinking
computational_thinking
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. User research findings — summarizes basic observations from workplace walkthroughs into structured written notes for team review Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Technical vocabulary — uses human factors and ergonomics terminology accurately when contributing to team meetings or client briefings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Survey instruments — drafts straightforward user interview questions to gather initial requirements or fatigue data under supervisor guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ergonomics report — composes clear written summaries of task analysis findings, translating technical data into accessible recommendations for non-engineering stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder interviews — conducts structured interviews with end users to elicit needs, discomfort patterns, and workflow constraints with increasing independence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Presentation delivery — presents human factors study results to mixed audiences of designers, managers, and clients using visual aids and plain language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Hazard communication — articulates physical risk findings from worksite inspections to safety officers and operations teams using evidence-based, jargon-free language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. End-user advocacy — voices user-centered design requirements persuasively in multidisciplinary engineering meetings, bridging psychology-grounded insight and technical constraints Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Validation reporting — prepares comprehensive reports documenting human factors testing methodologies, anthropometric data, and conclusions for regulatory or client submission O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Executive briefings — crafts and delivers high-stakes presentations synthesizing human factors research into strategic design or policy recommendations for senior leadership Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional communication standards — establishes communication templates and reporting conventions for human factors deliverables adopted across project teams or organizational units Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Public discourse — authors peer-reviewed publications or industry white papers advancing ergonomics knowledge and elevating organizational visibility in the field Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Task ownership — takes initiative in organizing personal observation schedules and data collection activities without prompting from supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer contribution — shares preliminary findings from user interviews or surveys with team members to support collective project understanding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Project coordination — leads discrete human factors study phases, coordinating schedules for worksite observations, testing sessions, and stakeholder interviews Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client guidance — advises clients on ergonomic fixture adjustments and task sequence modifications, taking responsibility for recommended outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Junior mentoring — guides early-career team members through data collection protocols, checklist usage, and observation techniques Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Study leadership — directs end-to-end human factors investigations, assigning roles, managing timelines, and ensuring methodological rigor across functional and task analyses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy leadership — champions end-user needs in design reviews and engineering forums, mobilizing multidisciplinary teams toward human-centered outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Safety initiative ownership — leads workplace health and safety improvement programs, securing stakeholder buy-in and tracking implementation of ergonomic recommendations O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational influence — shapes human factors strategy across programs or business units, aligning ergonomics practices with enterprise safety, productivity, and design goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Discipline leadership — mentors human factors engineers at multiple career stages, cultivating a team culture of user advocacy and evidence-based practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-industry leadership — represents the organization in professional bodies, standards committees, or regulatory working groups advancing human factors and ergonomics policy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition10 statements
Emerging
  1. Learning reflection — identifies personal knowledge gaps in psychology or engineering fundamentals and selects targeted resources to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Method awareness — recognizes when an observation or survey approach is not capturing the intended user behavior data and flags the gap to a supervisor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Study design self-monitoring — reviews own task analysis plans before execution, identifying methodological weaknesses or missing anthropometric considerations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration — adjusts data collection techniques and report framing based on explicit feedback from senior engineers or clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cognitive load awareness — monitors own analytical workload during complex, multi-system human factors investigations and restructures approach when accuracy is at risk Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Analytical calibration — evaluates the appropriateness of chosen human factors tools — checklists, force measurement, videotaping — against study objectives before and during fieldwork Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assumption auditing — explicitly surfaces and tests personal assumptions about user populations or task environments before drawing ergonomic conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Continuous learning planning — constructs deliberate professional development plans incorporating advances in human-computer interaction, biomechanics, or cognitive ergonomics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Epistemic modeling — articulates the limits of current human factors evidence bases when advising on novel system designs, proactively identifying where additional research is needed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Team metacognitive culture — instills reflective practice norms within human factors teams, facilitating after-action reviews of study design decisions and their outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Observation analysis — identifies observable ergonomic risk factors during supervised worksite inspections by applying basic human factors checklists O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Data questioning — asks clarifying questions about user interview responses to distinguish stated preferences from actual behavioral patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Evidence evaluation — assesses the reliability and validity of anthropometric data, survey results, and observational records before drawing design recommendations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Root cause analysis — traces reported user fatigue or injury patterns to specific task sequences, environmental conditions, or interface design flaws rather than accepting surface-level explanations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Trade-off analysis — evaluates competing ergonomic, engineering, and cost constraints to recommend workplace modifications with the strongest risk-reduction rationale O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Functional task analysis — performs rigorous decomposition of complex work processes to isolate cognitive load, physical demand, and error-prone task transitions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assumption stress-testing — identifies and challenges unstated design assumptions in engineering proposals that may introduce human performance or safety risks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Incident investigation — applies systematic reasoning to analyze near-miss or injury events, distinguishing human factors contributors from mechanical or procedural causes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systems-level critique — evaluates entire sociotechnical systems for human factors vulnerabilities, integrating psychological, biomechanical, and organizational evidence into unified risk assessments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Standards critique — critically appraises existing ergonomics standards and guidelines for applicability gaps when applied to novel populations, technologies, or work contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Research synthesis — integrates findings across multiple human factors studies to form original, defensible conclusions that advance organizational or industry practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration10 statements
Emerging
  1. Team participation — contributes observational data and user interview notes to multidisciplinary project teams in a timely and organized manner Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Perspective receptivity — incorporates feedback from engineers, designers, and safety officers into personal analyses without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional coordination — collaborates with industrial designers and mechanical engineers to translate ergonomic task analysis findings into actionable product or workspace modifications O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. User co-discovery — partners with end users during observation sessions, creating a collaborative environment that surfaces authentic workflow behaviors and pain points Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict navigation — reconciles differing priorities between user advocates and technical constraints teams by surfacing shared safety and performance objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated design collaboration — functions as the human factors lead within multidisciplinary design teams, aligning psychology-informed requirements with engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory inputs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client partnership — builds sustained collaborative relationships with client organizations to ensure ergonomic recommendations are implemented and monitored over time O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary synthesis — synthesizes contributions from psychologists, biomechanists, software engineers, and safety managers into coherent human factors deliverables Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Collaborative framework design — establishes human factors integration processes that define how ergonomics inputs are systematically embedded across all stages of a product or system development lifecycle Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Community of practice leadership — builds and sustains internal or external communities of practice connecting human factors engineers across projects, organizations, or sectors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character10 statements
Emerging
  1. Observational integrity — records worksite observation data accurately and without embellishment, even when findings challenge existing design decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Confidentiality respect — handles sensitive user interview data and organizational safety records with appropriate discretion and access controls Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Accountability in reporting — acknowledges limitations of study methodologies and data quality openly in human factors reports rather than overstating confidence in findings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. User welfare prioritization — raises potential user health or safety concerns identified during fieldwork even when doing so creates project friction or delays Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional conduct — maintains objectivity and neutrality when advocating for end users in environments where engineering or commercial pressures favor contrary decisions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical advocacy — escalates unresolved ergonomic hazards through appropriate channels when client or management responses are insufficient to protect worker safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent uncertainty — communicates the bounds of human factors evidence clearly to decision-makers, resisting pressure to overstate certainty for persuasive effect Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Inclusive practice — ensures data collection and analysis methods account for the full diversity of the user population, including age, gender, ability, and anthropometric variation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical standards stewardship — contributes to the development or revision of professional codes of ethics for human factors and ergonomics practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Role modeling accountability — demonstrates exemplary professional integrity in high-visibility projects, establishing behavioral norms that elevate team and organizational standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity10 statements
Emerging
  1. Observation adaptation — devises alternative data collection approaches when standard checklists or surveys do not capture the specific user behavior of interest Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sketch ideation — generates rough concept sketches for workstation reconfigurations or interface layouts to stimulate design team discussion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel study design — constructs custom human factors study protocols combining videotaping, force measurement, and cognitive task analysis for contexts without established benchmarks O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Reframing problems — repositions an ergonomic challenge from a physical hazard framing to a cognitive workflow framing when evidence suggests the root cause lies in information design rather than physical load Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Intervention invention — proposes non-obvious workplace modifications — such as task rotation schemes or ambient feedback systems — that address ergonomic risk while preserving operational efficiency O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Human-centered design innovation — generates original interface or workspace concepts grounded in user research and validated through iterative human factors testing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Analogy transfer — applies human factors insights from one industry domain to novel design challenges in another, generating cross-domain solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Participatory design facilitation — designs and facilitates creative co-design sessions in which end users contribute directly to ergonomic solution generation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Method innovation — develops new human factors assessment tools, metrics, or frameworks that fill gaps in existing ergonomics methodology and are adopted by peers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. System redesign vision — conceives holistic sociotechnical system redesigns that transform how work is organized, not merely how individual tasks or interfaces are configured Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset10 statements
Emerging
  1. Challenge acceptance — engages willingly with unfamiliar work domains — such as aviation, healthcare, or manufacturing — when assigned new human factors projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — actively solicits critique of first-draft reports and observation protocols from senior engineers and incorporates suggestions constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Skill expansion — pursues competence in emerging human factors tools — such as eye-tracking analysis, physiological measurement, or simulation testing — beyond initial training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback reframing — treats inconclusive study results or rejected recommendations as diagnostic information that sharpens the next iteration of analysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Complexity embrace — volunteers for human factors challenges involving novel technologies or poorly understood user populations rather than defaulting to familiar problem types Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Iterative improvement — applies systematic lessons from past human factors investigations to continuously refine personal methodological practice and recommendation quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning from failures — conducts structured after-action reviews following projects where ergonomic recommendations were not implemented or did not achieve anticipated safety outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Domain expansion — deliberately builds cross-disciplinary knowledge in adjacent areas — cognitive neuroscience, organizational behavior, or systems engineering — to strengthen human factors analysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — creates formal mechanisms within human factors teams for capturing and disseminating lessons learned from completed projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field evolution embrace — proactively monitors and integrates emerging research in human-robot interaction, neuroergonomics, or digital human modeling into practice before these methods become mainstream Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness10 statements
Emerging
  1. Observational presence — maintains focused, undistracted attention during worksite inspections to detect subtle ergonomic hazards not captured by standard checklist prompts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness — notices personal reactions when users describe distressing work conditions and maintains professional composure to sustain productive interviews Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Attentional management — sustains structured observation focus across extended field sessions in noisy or physically demanding environments without loss of data quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias recognition — pauses during analysis to identify when confirmation bias may be shaping interpretation of anthropometric or behavioral data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Stakeholder attunement — reads non-verbal cues and emotional undercurrents during client meetings to adjust communication strategy in real time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional decision-making — applies deliberate, structured reasoning rather than reactive judgment when recommending ergonomic interventions with significant safety or cost implications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress regulation in fieldwork — maintains methodological rigor and professional demeanor during investigations of workplace injuries or near-miss events involving distressed personnel Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Present-focused facilitation — creates conditions of psychological safety during user research sessions that enable authentic, uninhibited disclosure of workplace difficulties Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful leadership modeling — demonstrates and teaches attentional discipline and emotional regulation practices to human factors teams navigating high-stakes or ambiguous project environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic awareness — maintains simultaneous awareness of individual user experience, team dynamics, and organizational context when conducting complex sociotechnical system assessments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude10 statements
Emerging
  1. Persistence in fieldwork — continues systematic data collection through physically demanding or logistically complex worksite observation conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ambiguity tolerance — proceeds with structured analysis when initial user data is incomplete or contradictory, resisting the urge to draw premature conclusions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Recommendation resilience — resubmits evidence-based ergonomic recommendations through appropriate channels after initial rejection by engineering or management stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Sustained advocacy — maintains consistent end-user advocacy posture across multi-year product development cycles where human factors inputs face repeated deprioritization O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Complexity endurance — sustains analytical rigor through long-duration human factors investigations involving large datasets, multiple user populations, and extended testing phases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Courageous escalation — formally escalates unresolved ergonomic safety hazards to senior leadership or regulatory bodies when organizational resistance prevents adequate risk mitigation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adversarial context navigation — maintains professional effectiveness and data integrity when conducting human factors investigations in politically charged or legally sensitive organizational environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Chronic problem persistence — pursues solutions to entrenched ergonomic issues — such as high-injury repetitive tasks — across multiple intervention cycles without abandoning the effort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-level courage — publicly challenges industry-wide design practices or standards that human factors evidence reveals to be hazardous, accepting reputational risk in service of user safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational resilience building — develops institutional human factors programs with durable processes and stakeholder commitments that sustain user-centered practice through leadership changes and budget pressures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Board Certified Ergonomist · Certified Professional Ergonomist · Cognitive Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Psychologist · Ergonomic Consultant · Ergonomic Specialist · Ergonomics Consultant · Ergonomics Engineer · Ergonomics Specialist · Ergonomics Technical Advisor · Ergonomist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationMathematicsMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessOperations AnalysisSystems AnalysisScienceLearning StrategiesInstructingTechnology DesignTime ManagementCoordinationService Orientation
Knowledge domains
PsychologyEnglish LanguageDesignEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceSociology and AnthropologyAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingComputers and Electronics
Abilities
Inductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionFluency of IdeasProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingCategory Flexibility
Work styles
Attention to DetailIntellectual CuriosityInnovationDependabilityAchievement OrientationAdaptability
Technology
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareDesktop publishing softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareWeb platform development softwareGraphical user interface development softwareInternet browser softwareContent workflow softwareComputer aided design CAD software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests.
  2. Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
  3. Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.
  4. Inspect work sites to identify physical hazards.
  5. Prepare reports or presentations summarizing results or conclusions of human factors engineering or ergonomics activities, such as testing, investigation, or validation.
  6. Recommend workplace changes to improve health and safety, using knowledge of potentially harmful factors, such as heavy loads or repetitive motions.
  7. Perform functional, task, or anthropometric analysis, using tools, such as checklists, surveys, videotaping, or force measurement.
  8. Provide technical support to clients through activities, such as rearranging workplace fixtures to reduce physical hazards or discomfort or modifying task sequences to reduce cycle time.
CIP education codes
14.270114.350114.360115.150115.1503

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.