Systems and methods of assisting operator engagement with input devices include an input device configured to be operated by a hand of an operator, a repositionable structure coupled to the input device, a hand detection system, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to detect a position and an orientation of the hand using the hand detection system, determine, based on the position of the hand, a target position for the input device, wherein moving the input device from a current position of the input device to the target position moves the input device closer to a grasping position for the hand, and in response to determining that an orientation difference between the orientation of the hand and a current orientation of the input device is not greater than a threshold orientation difference, cause one or more actuators to move the input device toward the target position.