All Systems Go: The World of Systems Engineering

The field of systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to product development which helps ensure that all elements of a product’s hardware and software work together to achieve the desired outcome. Systems engineering is particularly useful when dealing with complex products or applications that involve a lot of data, variables, or design fields. Examples include NASA’s design of the International Space Station (operated by five space agencies) and the exploration of Pluto by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This high-profile aerospace initiative’s success relied on meticulous planning, exact calculations, complete integration between the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and mission operations, and thorough management of all performance and budgetary aspects throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Similarly, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a space-based positioning, navigation, and timing service, required high-level systems engineering to oversee the design and integration of space, ground, and user components.

Other real-world examples of the implementation of systems engineering hit much closer to home.

Systems Engineering In Practice

In the design of new hardware and software products within the IT world, for example, systems engineers oversee development by understanding the system, its goals, and the interaction of all parts as a whole and balancing the needs of all stakeholders with organizational costs and risk. On the flip side, as it relates to users of hardware and software in an enterprise IT setting, systems engineers are tasked with understanding their organization’s business requirements and identifying the hardware and software elements that best meet their organization’s needs. They may also set up, configure, and maintain servers, administer the network, oversee security measures and response to cyber incidents, and document changes to the system for ongoing maintenance and auditing purposes.

Elsewhere, the field of autonomous vehicle design – which demands seamless integration between sensors, AI algorithms, control systems, and other components – relies on systems engineers to help meet performance, reliability, and safety goals. Systems engineers are also heavily involved in the fields of printed circuit board design, robotics, and utility power generation, delivery, control, and protection.

Across the board, contributions by systems engineers can significantly enhance a company’s product quality as well as its efficiency, financial performance, and speed to market. In the aerospace industry, for instance, systems engineering activities at Boeing were instrumental in reducing development time of the company’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft by 60% relative to previous models.

Demand for Systems Engineers

Based on the demonstrated value systems engineers bring to organizations, demand for the profession is increasing worldwide. Built In, a tech start-up platform, projects a 21% growth in these job opportunities between 2021 and 2031.

To accomplish an organization’s goals, systems engineers take a top-down approach and evaluate all parts of an entire integrated system to ensure that each aspect will work together to accomplish overall objectives. In that sense, because they must know a little bit about every component and process within a new product’s development, how all of these parts come together, and be able to see the big picture, systems engineers play a critical role similar to that of an orchestra conductor. Among their major tasks, systems engineers are typically involved with everything from design compatibility, definition of requirements, and project management to cost analysis, scheduling, upcoming system upgrades, maintenance requirements, and communications between the project’s engineers, managers, suppliers, and customers. As such, their work can have a significant impact on a project’s metrics.

Explore the Field of Systems Engineering with IEEE

Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering
This course program teaches essential configuration management core concepts and best practices for both hardware and software (starting with the requirements specified in the IEEE 828 standard) in order to help reduce an organization’s risk of a malicious attack and/or enable rapid response to an incident. Ideal for managers, practicing professionals, academics, undergraduates, and electrical engineers, the five-course program helps learners assess and improve existing organizational configuration management practices in systems engineering.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense
This course program explores systems and software engineering concepts for the aerospace and defense industries. Topics covered include the life cycle and engineering process, selection and application of appropriate IEEE standards, and methods of addressing complex issues through interrelated life cycle processes and other agile techniques within these specific industries. This five-program course is ideal for aerospace engineers, project managers, software engineers, government and defense professionals, and standards developers.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.