Lead Human Factors Specialist

ASC is Australia’s submarine company. We built the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines, sustain them, and are now delivering their Life of Type Extension to increase the boats’ service lives. We have also been selected by the Australian Government to sustain and jointly build the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines – the largest and most complex industrial undertaking in Australia’s history.

Our work is interesting and meaningful, contributing directly to Australia’s national security. We offer rewarding roles that provide the opportunity to grow your career, and the flexibility to balance life and work. A career at ASC is like no other, delivering a deeper purpose we can all be proud of.

About the Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Human Factors Engineer to play a critical role in shaping the design and performance of a nationally significant submarine program. Working within the Technical Cross Product Team (TECHCPT), you will collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure human factors considerations are embedded throughout the design lifecycle, influencing outcomes that enhance safety, operability, habitability, and overall system performance. Reporting to the Technical CPT Manager, you will engage with internal and external stakeholders, including Defence and Navy representatives, to ensure the submarine design meets complex operational and human-centred requirements.

This is a full-time position located in SA. While remote work is available, candidates must be in Australia to be considered for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead Human Factors Engineering activities across the submarine design program, ensuring human-centred principles are integrated into design decisions.
• Conduct and oversee assessments including anthropometrics, task analysis, workload, habitability, situation awareness, and compliance with relevant standards such as MIL-STD-1472.
• Develop and manage Human Factors requirements, ensuring traceability and alignment with system and program objectives.
• Author Human Engineering Reports, providing clear recommendations and technical advice to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Develop and refine work procedures and organisational processes with the aim to apply Human Factors principles throughout the business.
• Facilitate Human Engineering Working Groups and maintain strong relationships with Defence, Navy, engineering teams, and other project stakeholders.
• Manage Human Engineering Issues Registers and contribute to mandated system reviews, risk assessments, and engineering assurance activities.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and peer review support to other Human Factors Engineers within the team.

About you 

• Degree qualified in Human Factors, Engineering, Psychology, Ergonomics, or a related discipline.
• Certified, or working towards certification, with a recognised professional body such as HFESA, AHPRA, CSEP, or CPEng.
• Proven experience delivering Human Factors Engineering assessments across areas such as ergonomics, workload, task analysis, habitability, and user-centred design.
• Strong understanding of requirements development, management, and systems engineering principles.
• Experience working on large, complex engineering or defence-related programs, with the ability to influence multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent technical writing, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Experience applying Human Factors principles in the conduct of Product Safety Investigations or Nuclear Safety Management Systems will be highly regarded.
• Experience with defence projects and digital anthropometric assessment tools will be highly regarded.

Eligibility

This role requires a current National Police Clearance, an Australian Defence Security Clearance and an ability to access protected US defence technology. Your eligibility for this role is dependent on you obtaining and maintaining such clearances and approvals.

Whilst ASC will accept all applications for this role, as this role requires an ability to access protected US defence technology, applicants holding nationality of certain foreign countries will not be eligible.

To check your eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.

Benefits

• Unique and challenging work with a deeper purpose.
• Flexibility over how, when and where you work for the best work/life balance.
• Up to 10 days additional leave every year so you can rest and recharge.
• Generous parental leave so you can give your family the focus it deserves.
• Subsidised childcare to ease the financial pressure on your family.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives so you can perform at your best at work.
• Professional development opportunities to advance your career.
• A diverse and supportive environment where you can thrive.
• Discounts and exclusive offers from leading Australian brands to help you save.

About ASC

Established in 1985, ASC’s 3500-plus staff offer a depth of submarine design, project management, supply chain, construction and engineering experience and expertise that is unparalleled in Australia’s defence industry. The company’s work on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine build and the Collins Class Life of Type Extension takes place in Osborne, South Australia, with sustainment shared across Osborne and Henderson, Western Australia. ASC also plays a leading role in training Royal Australian Navy submariners.

Apply today for a career with a deeper purpose.

Early applications are encouraged as shortlisting may commence immediately.