What Does a Career in Systems Engineering Entail?
Systems engineering professionals design and manage complex systems over their complete life cycles. They must make sure to consider all aspects of a project or engineering systems and integrate it into a greater environment. A systems engineering degree and career can be challenging and adventurous. Systems engineering is a process of discovery. The focus of systems engineering is to create complex systems that function continuously and experience little to no errors. In systems engineering, the process begins with creating a system and then an investigation to find the causes of difficulty or sources of malfunction. Professionals in systems engineering management must solve the problem and reduce the risks of the worst failures of engineering systems. Systems engineering professionals might work on creating autonomous vehicles, information systems for government agencies, and using their technical knowhow for project management in systems engineering and other projects that need an engineering systems perspective. Their expertise might be useful and even in high demand in civil engineering, electrical engineering, operations research, systems architecting, healthcare, information technology systems, manufacturing, transportation, modeling systems, communication systems, and more to keep an eye on the big picture in many industries that use systems science.
Components of A Successful Career in Systems Engineering
- Technical capabilities are essential for a successful systems engineering career; system engineers must have an acumen for computer hardware, software, and software systems. Many can achieve success with just a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, but an undergraduate program may not be enough for others. They can attend graduate programs in systems engineering or engineering management or earn a graduate certificate in systems engineering design or information systems engineering.
- Business skills are in the mix of capabilities that system engineers must possess for success. Many solutions must work within frameworks of a private or public enterprise. System engineers must build value into their engineering work.
- Communications skills play an important role in work with customers, colleagues, and members of other disciplines that must assist in the given project or activity. Systems engineering often must connect other processes and functions into smoothly integrated systems, and they have to be able to discuss this work with other workers outside of system engineers, especially when working in engineering management.
- Interpersonal relations are important for a successful systems engineering career. Unlike most engineering fields, systems engineering is customer focused. The systems engineer must solve a problem or build a solution for a customer’s needs.
- Creativity is the sense that connects the other senses and inspires innovative approaches. System engineers must think outside of the box and use insight.
Typical Systems Engineering Degree Options
An Associate Degree in Systems Engineering is a 60-to-70- hour curriculum undergraduate degree in systems engineering that students can complete in two or three years. This systems engineering degree can open technical or supervised opportunities in systems management technology, systems engineering, and information systems. These are a good way to acquire fundamental knowledge and new skills, but may not give you enough time to go into the details of data science, large scale systems, systems analysis, and systems science.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering is an undergraduate degree that is the entry-level for most positions in the field of systems engineering. The course of study often includes internships and about 125 to 135 semester hours of study in systems engineering. This may include general education, core courses, and specialized classes in engineering systems, systems science, industrial and systems engineering, systems engineering management, manufacturing systems engineering, applied science, and more, as well as the chance to get real world experience with labs and internships.
A Master’s in Systems Engineering Degree are usually a 30 credit-hour course of study as a graduate degree program, which graduate students can complete in one or two years. Many programs require a capstone project or thesis focused on systems engineering, engineering systems, engineering management, manufacturing systems engineering, etc.
Typical Systems Engineering Certifications Needed
INCOSE provides systems engineering professional certifications at three levels. They offer a basic associate certification, a middle range Certified Systems Engineering Professional Certificate, and a top rating called the Expert Systems Engineering Professional Certificate. These certifications measure experience, competence, and the extent to which a professional has the training and ability to act independently as an expert in the field of systems engineering.
Academic Standards for a Systems Engineering Degree
The required level of academic achievement for an online associate or bachelor’s undergraduate degree is a high school diploma or a GED. In competitive admissions, students with high academic achievement in math and science would have an advantage. Generally, students should take the SAT or ACT exams to demonstrate that they have a suitable background for college-level study.
An online master’s in systems engineering degree requires a bachelor’s in systems engineering degree or a related category of engineering field such as industrial engineering, engineering systems, engineering management, civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, or other engineering programs.
Exam/Experience Needed for a Systems Engineering Degree
Systems engineering curriculum typically includes an internship or other type of supervised practical instruction. Employers value practical experience with engineering systems, and many bachelor's and master’s graduates begin by working in teams or collaborations.
In-person or online graduate degrees in systems engineering or engineering management usually require a thesis or a capstone project to demonstrate the ability to apply the courses and knowledge gained and see the big picture in real-world settings in the industry.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree online?
The online Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering is a four-year degree program at most schools and colleges. Some schools offer a combination of the bachelor of science and the master of science degrees. The curriculum may easily extend to five years to accommodate internships and other types of practical and supervised work experience. When attending on a part-time basis, online students may take longer than four years, and this may be the best balance between education, employment, business obligations, or other situations.
Online students may be able to shorten the time required by taking an additional course each semester and adding courses during the summer recess. Some online schools may reduce required and general education courses by competency testing.
How much does an Online Systems Engineering bachelor’s degree cost?
The costs of a four-year degree include tuition, room and board, books, and incidental expenses. The annual total of these expenses can be multiplied by four to estimate the total cost range for a four-year engineering degree. Additionally, the estimate should consider the differences in price and fee structure for private colleges and universities versus their public counterparts. Public schools also charge different rates for in-state students than for out-of-state students.
The cost ranges for a four-year systems engineering bachelor’s degree range from $85- $195,000. When adding room and board, tuition, books, and incidental expenses, the average is the range of $190,000 for private schools, $160,000 at public schools for out-of-state students, and approximately $85,000 for in-state students at public schools.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
Systems engineering is a multidisciplinary form of engineering. The systems engineering degree program may often co-exist with industrial engineering or engineering management. Because schools often use different labels, students must examine the course content and expected results to determine if the program meets their expectations.
Systems engineers are at the center of successful computer-based management systems. They must analyze the potential complexity and the risks. From concept, design, to architecture, systems engineers must analyze and test systems to determine that they achieve their intended goals. These talented professionals must be able to understand customer needs and provide a product that works well for the end-user.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
The national trend has moved significantly towards longer terms of undergraduate attendance. As students reduce semester loads and attend part-time in higher numbers, the average on-time graduation rate has shifted to 150% of the on-time mark. This means that many students aren’t graduating until their sixth year.
| Type of School | 4-Year Graduation Rate | 6-Year Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Private schools | 53% | 68% |
| Public schools | 35% | 65% |
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Accreditation is essential to the value of a degree and college-level coursework.
Accredited schools and programs provide value not found in non-accredited education. University HQ recommends that students carefully assess the accreditation status of any school they might select. Regional or national accreditation of the entire school is an excellent first step in the search.
Federal student financial aid depends on accreditation. Schools may not participate in federal student loans programs unless accredited by an authorized accreditation agency. Every accreditation is not acceptable to the federal student loan program. Students can determine appropriate national and regional accreditation at the Department of Education College Scorecard website.
The ABET is a leading program accreditation agency for engineering and computer science-based fields of study. An ideal combination for system engineer studies is an ABET program certification and regional accreditation of the entire institution.
The reputation and respect given the program in the business and educational communities is a factor in the value of a degree. Among the factors that support reputation are the graduation rates and the success rates of graduates in getting high paying jobs in their fields. In the field of systems engineering, there are fewer traditional factors in play. The entire field is relatively new and it is growing as innovation drives greater complexity into government and business systems.
Professional Organizations
IISE
Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers
This membership organization promotes industrial and systems engineering professionals and the fields of industrial and systems engineering. Featuring communities such as healthcare, manufacturing, and systems management, the IISE answers many demands for higher educational standards, ethics, and improvements in education and training. Students can join this organization and take advantage of information resources, educational programs, and conferences. The IISE focuses on industrial and systems engineering and best practices.
INCOSE
International Council on Systems Engineering
INCOSE is a leading organization in the field of Integrative design and engineering. The organization provides current events in news and magazine of information for members. The overall direction of INCOSE is to address complex societal and technical problems through the support of successful systems engineering techniques. The organization sponsors the honor society for student system engineers and offers useful certifications. INCOSE offers students opportunities for learning from thought leaders, networking with established professionals, and participating in state-of-the-art demonstration projects.
SAE
The Society of Automotive Engineers
The Society of Automotive Engineers plays a key role in setting standards for products and procedures. SAE has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with INCOSE to improve the state of systems engineering practices. The organizations cooperate on a Future of Systems Engineering Initiative (FUSE). Students can get involved with SAE and engage in the process of assessing industry standards and authoring changes, modification, and improvements.
IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The IEEE promotes technology and innovation that can improve societies and benefit humanity. It works with computers, electronics, and electric systems an all related professions and occupations. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a large membership organization that began in the era of electricity and continued through the electronics and computer generations. The IEEE now includes computer scientists, software developers, physicist, medical experts, and systems professionals. Students can engage thought leaders and take advantage of educational resources.
STM
Sigma Theta Mu
This is the systems engineering honor society. The society represents professionals and students in systems engineering and systems related disciplines. Formed by INCOSE, this society awards model students for outstanding academic performance and contributions to the systems engineering profession. Students inducted into the society must demonstrate superior academic performance. Membership also includes access to study materials for the INCOSE systems engineering certification examinations.