ROLES AND COMPETENCIES

Systems engineering contributes directly to product, mission, and organizational success.

Systems engineers today often come from other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, aeronautical, software, or electrical engineering. But what makes a good engineer in one domain does not necessarily make a good systems engineer.

Systems engineers must be holistic thinkers, strong communicators, maintain a broad view of the systems and how they are being used, while at the same time, pay attention to the relevant details. Systems engineers must develop a breadth of knowledge, a balance of skills and be aware of global issues and trends such as digital transformation and systems of systems. 

Fortunately, the systems engineering community has evolved competencies, bodies of knowledge, and curricula to guide the role definition, training and career development of systems engineers. Although these competencies cover much of the systems engineering discipline, no one person may need expertise in all of them, but the composite experience of the systems engineering team should provide the requisite skills needed for the particular application.