Benjamin Schwartz

BIOgraphy

Ben Schwartz is the Vice President of Human-Centered Engineering at Monterey Technologies, Inc. (MTI). He has over two decades of technical experience, focused primarily on human systems integration for defense systems. His technical areas of expertise include human factors engineering (HFE), user experience (UX), model-based systems engineering (MBSE), agile systems engineering, and business development.

In this role, Ben manages and coordinates MTI’s human engineering line of business while leading a team of subject matter experts (SME), human factors engineers, UX researchers, UI designers, and human-systems integrators.

Ben became interested in human factors at Space Camp, where he was inspired by the challenges of living and working in space. Even daily activities like eating, sleeping, personal hygiene, and moving around must be completely re-engineered for microgravity environments. The realization that an engineer has to keep the human at the center of the design process ignited his passion for designing advanced systems to enhance human performance and mission success. He earned a bachelor’s degree in human factors from Tufts University, a master’s degree in human systems integration from the Naval Postgraduate School, and an International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification.

Throughout his career, he has developed complex systems across the engineering lifecycle, championed human factors awareness, and served as a key contributor to multiple DoD efforts, including Entry Control Point/Integrated Base Defense, Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer Instructor/Operator Station, UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook pilot-vehicle interfaces, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD)/Sentinel Program, and many others.

With broad experience across different customers, domains, and phases of the engineering lifecycle, he remains committed to delivering systems that effectively meet user needs for critical missions. As an advocate for user-centered systems engineering, he ensures that human and mission needs balance the technology-centered approach of traditional system development. Ben also writes about defense engineering trends and practices at EngineeringForHumans.com.

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Human Systems Integration in Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK), 2020
Human Readiness Levels Promote Effective System Integration in Journal of Ergonomics in Design, 2021
Human Readiness Level Scale in the System Development Process (ANSI/HFES 400-2021), 2021
Author and managing editor, EngineeringForHumans.com