Misconceptions Concerning the Value of Systems Engineers

Abstract

In the community of professional engineers, the Systems Engineer is often perceived as an inferior engineer. Misconceptions are especially prevalent among technical design engineers for whom up‐front Systems Engineering should be considered absolutely essential. The Systems Engineer often works in an environment where his engineering peers, and sometimes even management, considers his contribution to be subordinate, of second‐class value, and at times, a nuisance. This paper examines this critical problem from the perspective of an aerospace engineer who spent five years working as a flight controls design engineer (where Systems Engineering was treated with considerable bias), and men transferred into Systems Engineering and has since been working on the opposite side of the fence. An exploration into the causes of the phenomena is detailed in the paper, with special emphasis on the factors perpetuating these misconceptions. A set of practical recommendations (some applicable for working Systems Engineers and some applicable for Managers) is then presented for use in mitigating and eventually dissolving these non‐productive barriers.