Ergonomics and Safety Consultant

Job summary

Undertake consulting, investigation and expert-opinion work involving incident and evidence analysis, ergonomics and human factors assessment, standards review, site inspections, incident reconstruction and clear technical report writing.

Key selling points

• Work with industry leaders on varied consulting, forensic investigation and expert-opinion matters and contribute to safer, more productive and more human-centred workplaces, products and systems.
• Develop your analytical, technical writing, ergonomics, human factors and incident-analysis skills.
• Gain broad exposure to complex incidents, leading Australian workplaces and industries, expert evidence preparation and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Enjoy easy transport and free parking at our inner Melbourne office.

About Dohrmann Consulting

Established in 1981, Dohrmann Consulting is one of Australia’s most experienced specialist ergonomics and safety consultancies, combining practical consulting with forensic investigation and expert-opinion work.

We value trust, integrity, teamwork and expertise. Our mission is to improve the safety, comfort and efficiency of our clients’ workplaces, buildings, products and systems and, in doing so, to improve people’s lives.

Our team has capabilities in ergonomics, human factors, forensic investigation, engineering, biomechanics, biological science, human movement, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. We draw on this multidisciplinary expertise to solve ergonomics and safety problems and to provide expert liability opinions in personal injury matters.

We are known for delivering clear, practical and client-focused advice. We are a friendly, hard-working team with a shared commitment to continual learning. We enjoy the challenge of doing important and interesting work, and we support each other to do that work well.

The role

We are seeking a capable, practical and analytically minded professional to join our Melbourne team. The role combines ergonomics consulting with forensic investigation and expert-opinion work, with a strong emphasis on evidence analysis, technical reasoning and report writing.

The role will typically suit a professional with approximately 3–8 years of relevant experience in ergonomics, safety, health science, rehabilitation, engineering, human factors or a related field. It offers an unusual combination of ergonomics consulting, investigation, technical analysis and expert-opinion work.

A large part of your role will involve assisting with expert-opinion and investigation work. Working closely with our senior consultants, you will:

• review witness statements and documentary evidence;
• attend site inspections and injured person interviews;
• review relevant standards, codes and guidance;
• investigate workplace, product and public safety incidents;
• reconstruct and analyse incidents and identify causation issues; and
• prepare expert reports for matters progressing through legal, insurance and dispute resolution processes.

Under the supervision of experienced consultants, you will assist in developing carefully reasoned expert opinions.

You will also lead and/or contribute to safety and ergonomics consulting projects. These may involve workplace assessments, manual handling risk assessments, equipment or process reviews, design advice, safety audits, training, research, reporting and client presentations.

With structured mentoring and feedback, you will progress from assisting experienced consultants to taking greater responsibility for projects, analysis and reports, while building a recognised area of technical expertise.

Typical expert opinion and investigation matters

You may assist with matters involving:

• manual handling, strain, overuse and RSI-type injuries;
• slips, trips and falls;
• fixed and mobile plant, machinery and equipment incidents;
• product or system failures;
• workplace systems and processes;
• human factors issues; and
• other workplace, product and public safety matters.

Typical consulting projects

You may lead or contribute to projects involving:

• ergonomics assessments of workplaces, processes, products or systems;
• manual handling risk assessments;
• NCC performance solutions;
• workplace safety inspections and audits;
• evaluation of equipment, building, product or process designs;
• safety and ergonomics training;
• research and technical guidance material;
• client reports and presentations; and
• business improvement or knowledge management initiatives.

Your development journey with us

You will not be expected to join us as a fully developed expert witness. From the outset, you will receive structured guidance while demonstrating the judgement, curiosity and discipline needed to become a strong consultant.

You will be expected to demonstrate and develop the ability to:

• identify the core incident/injury issues in complex factual and technical material;
• evaluate evidence critically and distinguish fact, assumption, analysis and opinion;
• research and interpret standards, codes and guidance;
• develop clear, logical and evidence-based analyses;
• prepare precise, well-structured technical and expert reports;
• explain complex issues clearly to clients and other professionals;
• manage competing priorities and deadlines;
• receive feedback constructively and improve your work; and
• build positive client and team relationships.

Essential requirements

You will have:

• a relevant tertiary qualification;
• at least three years of relevant professional experience in ergonomics, human factors, occupational health, safety, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, human movement, biomechanics, engineering, medical science, forensic science or a related discipline;
• a high standard of written and verbal communication in English, including the ability to explain technical reasoning clearly and precisely;
• demonstrated critical thinking, analytical reasoning, evidence evaluation and attention to detail;
• genuine interest in investigation, analysis, ergonomics, human factors and safety;
• motivation to develop advanced consulting and technical writing expertise;
• the ability to work independently and collaboratively and respond constructively to feedback;
• sound interpersonal skills;
• Australian work rights; and
• a current driver’s licence.

Highly regarded

We will look favourably on candidates with direct experience in one or more of the following:

• ergonomics or human factors;
• biomechanics;
• manual handling risk assessment;
• control room design;
• workplace safety or WHS advisory work;
• incident investigation;
• injury causation or accident analysis;
• client-facing consulting; and
• application of standards, codes of practice or guidance material.

Progress toward Certified Professional Ergonomist status, or an interest in achieving that status, will also be viewed favourably.

The kind of person who will succeed

You will suit this role if you are:

• intellectually curious and motivated by complex problems;
• practical, analytical and careful with detail;
• interested in how people interact with workplaces, equipment, products, systems and environments;
• a clear and disciplined writer;
• comfortable testing assumptions and having your reasoning challenged;
• able to explain complex issues simply; and
• motivated by evidence-based work that improves safety and helps clients make better decisions.

Why join us?

The breadth of our work will allow you to build consulting capabilities that are difficult to develop in a narrowly specialised role. You will work across complex incidents and investigations, expert evidence preparation, leading Australian workplaces and industries, and multidisciplinary projects. We offer:

• flexible working arrangements;
• a supportive team culture with regular mentoring and feedback;
• exposure to consulting, investigation and expert witness work;
• opportunities to develop a recognised technical specialty;
• competitive remuneration and regular bonus arrangements;
• easy public transport access and free parking at our inner Melbourne office;

If you are an ambitious professional who enjoys investigation, analysis, evidence-based reasoning and technical writing, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a carefully written cover letter explaining your interest in the role and demonstrating your written communication, attention to detail, analytical approach and motivation to develop as a consultant.

We read every cover letter carefully, and its quality will form part of our assessment. Applications must include a professional cover letter to be considered.

Applications close 29th October 2026.