Human Factors vs User Experience Roles: What is the difference between UX and HF?

Resume/Skillset Considerations
I’ll break this up into 2 sections User Experience (consumer goods focused) and Human Factors (Medical device focused). There’s a lot of overlap in skillsets, but the email is already long and dry (sorry) so I wont go too into it haha 

User Experience Researcher
These positions tend to involve gathering qualitative data in a variety of methods including interviews, surveys and ethnographic (observation) research. The data synthesis/reporting can manifest as workflows, journey maps, and personas. 

Typically user experiences try to turn quotes and observations into stories and opportunities for different business functions like design, engineering, marketing, and buis development. 

Core skills: Quantitative research, observation, discussion guide development, data visualization (figma, figjam, illustrator, mural, miro, ect.), interviewing skills and communication. 

A good user experience researcher can find a balance between jargon and strict requirements from direct user interaction while maintaining accurate representations of needs, pain points, and suggested actions from the business.

A more novice user experience researcher may get stuck in the “fuzzy front end” and provide flowery or nondescript deliverables without the aid of a more experienced researcher. 

Human Factors Engineer
Human factors engineers focus on mitigating risk stemming from misuse in medical devices, aerospace, automotive or other high risk fields. They inform design using established ergonomics and usability best practices. 

They test designs with representative users by designing simulated use studies and breaking down performance into reportable metrics.

Core Skills: Study Design, Study Moderation, Study Reporting, Familiar with regulatory standards and expectations, Understanding of design best practices, risk evaluation, task analysis

A good human factors engineer is able to understand what harm may arise from misuse. They can translate observations into qualitative metrics. They can communicate ways to mitigate the chances of misuse to engineers and designers.

A more novice human factors engineer may be able to identify risks, but will attribute that misuse to the user and not design of device or product. They may be able to recognize misuse, but may have trouble finding the root cause without the help of a more experience HF engineer.

Reference Material
Human Factors Standards Folder
Here is a link to human the human factors standards! I would recommend skimming through “Applying-Human-Factors-and-Usability-to-Medical-Devices”. Its boring, but short haha. If you end up doing a HF specific role I would highly recommend reviewing “ISO 62366-1”