S1 Ep3 – Suzy Broadbent

Women in Tech Not Just Code Podcast

Click to Subscribe

How does a role in human factors help with the future of technology and fighter jets? This episode is bursting with interestng concepts and ideas for design. Hear from Suzy Broadbent as we delve into this fascinating subject and her career path.

Suzy is a mum of 2 and an Engineering Manager of the Human Factors Shared Service at BAE Systems Air who studied psychology, human factors and is a Chartered Ergonomist (who knew that was a thing!) .  Her interest in human error and designing to eradicate it comes to life as she talks about her role leading  a team and the Future Cockpit Autonomy work package for the Tempest Future Combat Air System.  We will hear about how her family life as a child has helped shape her. 

This episode is full of thrills, laughter and moments to make you go wow!  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed talking to Suzy.

In this episode, we cover so many things including:

  • Starting a new job in lockdown
  • How human error got her into a career in technology
  • Creating a reconfigurable wearable cockpit
  • Working a male dominated environment
  • Being a mum and assumptions of being a working parent
  • The importance of real (role) models

Enjoy the podcast and don’t forget to to subscribe


Guest links

For more information about Suzy Broadbent, you can find her on LinkedIn . Find out more about Suzy’s career here:

Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors
Tempest Future Combat Air System
How to build a mind reading jet
Inside the Cockpit of a 6th generation fighter jet

Show Notes

  • Starting a new job in lockdown & homeschooling [02:50]
  • How human error got her into a career in technology [04:50]
  • Creating a reconfigurable wearable cockpit [10:30]
  • Working a male dominated environment [25:00]
  • The moment when she knew she was in the right role [28:30]
  • Being mum and assumptions of being a working parent [34:30]
  • The importance of real (role) models [40:30]

People mentioned

Professor James (Jim) Reason; (books by James Reason)