Nik P.

Background

About Nik P.

To err is human, and I have undoubted, perhaps even unparalleled, first-hand experience in erring! But don’t we all? So shouldn’t the systems we are a part of, integrated into every day, at home and at work, accommodate for this? Should they not support the fact we are human, improving our strengths and minimising the impacts of our weaknesses? That, in essence, is the goal of every professional involved in Human Factors (HF)/ Human Engineering (HE). Throughout my career, I've been fortunate enough to have obtained broad experience across the three domains of HF – Physical, Cognitive and Organisational. I began as a 3D Modeler in '04, designing architectural spaces, focusing on the Physical HF domain including understanding and designing to Anthropometric standards while applying User Experience (UX) and User-Centred Design discipline principles. Not once hearing the term Human Factors uttered. From '09-'19 I worked in a socio-technical environment as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Training in Organisational HF, and facilitating required HF continuation training where required. I was also offered the opportunity to assist in the roll-out of Just Culture, under the RAAF ‘New Horizons’ changes, which included looking beyond Human-Error as the root cause to incidents. I also led a 2-year, Defence endorsed, Human Factors investigation into better Maintenance Management strategies, focusing on human performance, fatigue and safety. In early '19, I moved into the Systems Engineering environment where I could now influence and impact design, instead of mitigating the effects of existing and established systems. Managing multiple Government infrastructure projects, at differing stages of the project lifecycle, I was able to apply Cognitive HF analyses and assessments on a range of end-users. Here, I could also utilise my Physical HF skillsets, to improve the physical environment in which our end-users interacted with. By late '20, I moved back into aviation, to utilise and capitalise on my Defence background, still continuing my work within Systems Engineering - to help lead the Boeing HE Projects team as the Principal HE Specialist. I'm now leading the development of a Model Based Human Engineering capability, utilising SysML and CAMEO, while simultaneously developing HE capability in the use of 3D models in a VR environment to better assess Physical and Cognitive ergonomics. I’m extremely passionate about my work and collaborating with likeminded individuals. I believe you can never stop learning, or know everything - I am a student for life!