Principal Consultant - Process Safety and Human Factors (Mid-Senior Level)

Principal Consultant – Human Factors

Make a real impact where it matters most

ERM is looking for an experienced Human Factors professional to help shape, grow, and champion our Human Factors capability. This is a senior role with real influence — leading high‑impact work across high‑hazard and process industries (including energy, chemicals, mining, and transport) while helping us expand into new opportunities and markets.

As a Principal Consultant, you’ll take the lead on complex, multi‑disciplinary human factors projects and proposals across major industrial sectors and capital programmes. You’ll apply human factors thinking to improve safety performance and operational reliability — from human factors in design and engineering, to safety culture, human performance, and reducing human error. Experience in Process Safety Technical Studies is a welcome advantage.

You’ll be part of an interdisciplinary, international network of ERM experts, collaborating across the UK, EMEA and globally. You’ll also play a visible role in shaping how human factors is delivered across the business. The role can be based in any of ERM’s core UK offices (London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh or Aberdeen), with hybrid and flexible working fully supported. Some UK and occasional international travel is expected.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead the delivery of human factors projects and programmes across high‑hazard industries.

• Act as a trusted technical expert, providing leadership and insight across client engagements.

• Lead Human Factors Engineering (HFE) studies and facilitate client workshops (e.g., Safety Critical Task Analysis).

• Produce high‑quality reports and presentations that influence decision‑making at senior levels.

• Play an active role in business development — shaping client conversations, leading proposals, and growing key accounts.

• Manage project delivery, including scope, budgets, resources, and multi‑disciplinary teams.

• Coach and mentor junior consultants, helping build capability and confidence across the team.

Who we’re looking for

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a degree in Psychology, Human Factors and/or Ergonomics (knowledge of Process Safety Technical Studies is a plus).

• Be a chartered member of the IEHF (or equivalent), or eligible for chartership.

• Experience in human factors, ideally within high‑hazard or process industries.

• Be confident leading client engagements and influencing senior stakeholders.

• Be comfortable working autonomously, navigating ambiguity, and managing multiple priorities.

• Be an excellent communicator with strong analytical and report‑writing skills.

Why ERM

Joining ERM means joining a global team with a shared purpose: to shape a more sustainable future. You’ll benefit from:

• The chance to work on large, complex, and genuinely meaningful projects where human factors has real impact.

• Variety — exposure to a wide range of clients, industries, and international projects.

• Clear opportunities for career progression, with tailored development, learning pathways, and access to senior leaders.

• A supportive, inclusive culture built on collaboration, quality, and curiosity.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re excited by the opportunity to help lead and grow Human Factors at ERM — shaping how we support clients on complex, high‑hazard projects — and you want your work to drive real, lasting change, we’d love to hear from you.

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ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2025 Sustainability Report..