The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society is the principal professional association in the United States that is concerned with the study of human characteristics and capabilities, and the application of that knowledge to the design of products, systems, and environments that people use. Since its formation in 1957, HFES has promoted the discovery and exchange of human factors and ergonomics knowledge, as well as education and training of students and practitioners.

Human Factors is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the systematic application of information about human performance and behavior in the design and evaluation of operational systems. Human factors research concentrates on methods for describing the performance characteristics of people, assessing the effects of technological and environmental variables on human performance, and evaluating human performance in human-centered systems.

Human Factors can be applied to virtually any area that involves people, technology, and environments. Human Factors specialists contribute to the design and evaluation of everything from toothbrushes to personal computers, from automobiles to spacecraft, from hammers to robots. Human Factors Specialists are employed by the Federal Government in housing, transportation, space exploration, and defense; by private industry in the computer, consumer product, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive and interactive entertainment industries; and by research consulting firms in a variety of contract work sponsered by private industry and all levels of government.