What Is a Systems Engineer and How Do I Become One

Systems engineers plan, engineer, and manage complex systems, whether the system has software applications, IT infrastructure, services, or products. Systems engineers connect technical products and business functionality, getting everything to work together and ensuring that the system meets both functional and strategic requirements. A systems engineer takes a holistic and end-to-end approach to problem solving, and considers more than just the technical attributes of the system; they also consider user requirements, business goals, and project constraints.

Generally, systems engineers will work on system architecture, define technical requirements, integration of the system, troubleshooting the entire project lifecycle, and consider variables including security, scalability, performance, compliance, and long-term maintenance. As a result, systems engineering is very technical but also very strategic and requires good communication skills and collaboration.

Systems engineers are employed across a range of functionalities and industries: IT, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, health care, and finance, so it is a very flexible discipline and is well in demand. As we grow more reliant on systems that are connected, and accelerate technology in our systems through devices and emerging technologies like cloud computing, automation, etc., systems engineering will become even more important and valuable across industries and sectors.

What does a systems engineer do?

Systems engineers design, integrate, and maintain complex systems for customers and companies in all fields, including technology, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and product development. The responsibilities of systems engineers may include monitoring existing systems, installing new systems, hardware, or software, diagnosing technical problems, ensuring hardware and software DRM operate efficiently and securely, investigating potential upgrades, and researching recommended improvements to processes. This work often includes working closely with supply chain, quality, delivery, and other departments in their organizations to enhance the effectiveness of remedial action and solutions to technical problems.

Systems Engineer Responsibilities

◆ Direct the planning, implementation, testing, and delivery of software, product(s), or service(s).

◆ Manage and coordinate a project’s schedule so the work is done in the proper order.

Implement and develop changes and fixes for software.

◆ Create and maintain automation processes.

◆ Manage project workflows, risk assessment, and risk optimization.

◆ Evaluate technicalities of a project to ensure engineering processes are functioning.

Systems engineer requirements

Becoming a systems engineer has several requirements, including:

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum required to become an entry-level systems engineer. Helpful majors include systems, information systems, industrial engineering, or computer engineering. Some systems engineers get a degree in their specific area of interest (such as engineering) and a minor in systems.

Aspiring systems engineers can pursue a master's degree to be more competitive for leadership roles. Master of Science degrees in systems engineering may be obtained from numerous post-secondary institutions. A PhD in systems engineering can also be useful for those looking to pursue research or teaching opportunities.

Training

A good number of potential systems engineers can obtain hands-on practical experience and fundamental knowledge of the discipline and practice of systems engineering through short-term employment known as internships or apprenticeships. Interns generally work as apprentices under experienced or licensed engineers in the field of systems engineering. Thus, they generally have the potential to learn and have exposure to real-world situations that are part of the practical work or responsibilities of systems engineers. Interns are primarily employed as a coordinator or support member to assist the engineer(s) with the systems design, implementation, or maintenance tasks.

Interns typically experience many operational systems engineering functions that emphasize their conceptual understanding of the engineering functions and operations, which should also highlight how it meets both technical and regulatory requirements of the potential industry (whether that may be in technology, health care, manufacturing, or aerospace). Furthermore, they are likely to be teamed with colleagues, and/or they will learn the industry-standard tools of the discipline, and they may undertake some projects where they can demonstrate a complete engineering process that is on a smaller scale than what a full-time systems engineer (their mentor) will work on.

Once someone lands an entry-level position as a systems engineer, they will continue developing their skill set with increased independence. At this stage, they will be designing, testing, and maintaining systems to meet various business requirements. As an added benefit, many employers provide on-the-job training to educate new employees about their specific workflows, technology, and processes—this training provides immense value as it allows engineers to use their classroom learning in combination with the requirements of their new organization and from day one, they will be able to integrate well into their new company.

As systems engineers continue their careers, and experience gained, they will not only get the technical competence needed but also develop the soft skills for success in the field like problem solving, interpersonal communication, and teamwork.

Systems Engineering Certification

Certifications demonstrate a systems engineer's capabilities and can lead to more opportunities in your career. Notable certifications include:

Associate Systems Engineering Professionals (ASEP) - A beginner certification from INCOSE for new graduates; it requires passing an exam.

Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) - The mid-level INCOSE certification requires 5 years of experience, three references, and a passing score on the exam.

Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) - The senior level INCOSE for systems engineers with a minimum of 25 years of experience; ESEP's are subject to peer-review assessment.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - A certification focused on cybersecurity that requires 5 years of experience in related positions as well as passing an exam.

Professional Engineer (PE) - A qualification to do engineering work for the public; requires a degree, years of supervised experience, and passing the FE exam.

Must-Have Skills for Systems Engineers

Systems engineering is a field full of possibilities, and practitioners will need to utilize many skills to be successful. These skills include:

Systems Thinking & Problem-Solving: Understanding how system components connect, identifying the system's interdependencies, examining complex problems, and determining solutions that will optimize the system's overall performance can require significant skill.

Technical Capability: You will need to have technical knowledge of multiple engineering fields, as needed; these may include electrical, mechanical, and computer/software engineering, along with an understanding of system architecture, subsystems, and emerging technologies.

Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Systems engineering requires working collaboratively with diverse teams working to integrate subsystems, making cultural and organizational aspects important factors. Diverse teams often require good communication and negotiation skills to succeed.

Project Management & Organization: Systems engineers are commonly responsible for pre-project planning of all tasks to be completed through to project delivery. This can include scheduling, budgeting, and risk management, all while ensuring secondary tasks, privilege tasks, and completion tasks are aligned with project goals.

Quality Assurance & Attention to Detail: Projects often have quality goals that require the systems engineer to ensure every function meets a high standard of quality through testing, validation and documentation.

Steps to become a systems engineer

1. Pursue an education: A bachelor's degree is the basic entry-level requirement, and  A master’s degree can help systems engineers train in a specific field or industry to further tailor their experience for the role they want to pursue.

2. Accumulate work experience: Some certifications require at least some actual experience when applying, and many systems engineering roles may require either experience, credentials, or both for the position. It is possible to get work experience from entry-level work as an engineer or in a similar position.

3. Earn certifications: Obtaining professional certifications can enhance your qualifications, employability, and salary, especially in a rapidly changing field such as IT, engineering, finance, and healthcare. Professional certifications demonstrate levels of competence you possess and dedication to ongoing professional development, as well as enhancing your credibility with potential employers. However, for professionals working in careers that have a more significant element of responsibility, like civil engineering, the Professional Engineer (PE) license is likely an absolute requirement.

Watch Now: Wipro-HCL-IBM Based Job Internship | Roadmap To Full Stack Developer

Being aware of certification renewal dates and the levels of continuing education necessary to sustain compliance is a good idea to remain in good standing. Overall, certifications can help you differentiate yourself in a competitive job market and can potentially lead to better roles and better salary.

Source:

https://sites.google.com/evisiontechnoserve.com/onjobtraining/blogs/what-is-a-systems-engineer