United States Air Force Academy

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Master complexity, reduce uncertainty, optimize engineering design

Systems Engineering

Cadet wearing virtual reality goggles.

Systems engineering provides the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force with a disciplined approach for developing and sustaining complex defense systems. Systems engineers apply interdisciplinary engineering, scientific, and management principles to define requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and integrate system elements to deliver mission-effective capabilities. A systems engineer applies systems thinking to:

  • Manage the complexity inherent in the development, integration, and sustainment of warfighting systems and systems-of-systems.
  • Support informed engineering and acquisition decisions by reducing uncertainty and rigorously evaluating design alternatives, risks, and tradeoffs.
  • Optimize system performance, cost, schedule, and supportability across the full lifecycle, from concept development and test and evaluation through production, operations, sustainment, and retirement.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERS IN THE AIR FORCE
  • Create innovative solutions to defense problems
  • Help to design critical new technical systems
  • Establish new defense system requirements
  • Work closely with industry engineering partners
  • Work closely with Air Force test organizations and rated operators
  • Conduct technical tests and evaluations
  • Analyze experimental data and test results
  • And much, much more!

Cadets in the Systems Engineering major specialize in a discipline engineering area of their choosing, selected among courses from Aeronautical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Systems Engineering cadets collaborate with other engineering majors on senior capstone design projects, working with U.S. Air Force, government, and industry partners to solve real-world engineering and operational problems. The major prepares graduates to understand, manage, and lead the development and employment of the complex systems that enable modern military operations.

Potential Job Assignments

A systems engineer meets the academic degree requirements of any of these job assignments in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force:

11X – Pilot 13X – Special Tactics
18X – RPA Pilot 13N – Nuclear and missile operations
13S – Space Operations 14N – Intelligence
62EXF – Flight Test Engineer 15A – Ops Research Analyst
62E – Developmental Engineer 17X – Cyber Operations
62I – Human Factors Engineer 21A/M – Aircraft/Munitions Maintenance
63A – Acquisitions, Program Manager 21R – Logistics Readiness
12X – Combat Systems Operator 64P – Contracting
13A – Astronaut

Outside the Air and Space Forces, a Systems Engineer may qualify as:

Program Systems Engineer Engineering Analyst
Project Engineer / Manager Cyber Security Analyst
Chief Engineer Commercial Pilot (with rated background)
Design Engineer (in depth specialty) Cockpit Design Engineer
Human-Systems Integration Engineer Research Engineer
Space Systems Engineer or Operator Many other positions
SAMPLE COURSES
  • Introduction to Systems Engineering
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering
  • Project Engineering
  • Optimization Theory with Design Applications
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
4-DEGREE (FRESHMAN) 3-DEGREE (SOPHOMORE) 2-DEGREE (JUNIOR) FIRSTIE (SENIOR)
Beh Sci 110 Adv Math Option Biology 215 Aero Engr 315
Chem 100 Comp Sci 211 DataSci 220 Astro Engr 310
Comp Sci 110 Econ 201 ECE 315 Beh Sci 373
Engl 111 Engl 211 History 300 SE Depth Opt
For Lang 131 Law 220 Ops Rsch 312 SE Depth Opt
For Lang 132 Math 243 SE Depth Opt Sys Engr 336
Math 141 Mech Engr 220 SE Depth Opt Sys Engr 491
Math 142 MSS 251 Soc Sci 311 Sys Engr 492
Physics 110 Ops Rsch 310 Sys Engr 301  
  Philos 210 Sys Engr 311  
  Physics 215 Sys Engr 320  
  Pol Sci 211    
  Sys Engr 310    
Course of Instruction Handbook
VALIDATION AND TRANSFER CREDITS

We will accept transfer credits from other universities’ course work in the same course description. For specific questions, please email the Deputy for Systems Engineering Program.

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

The Systems Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
To ensure the success of our graduates, we prepare them to achieve the following program educational objectives within a few years of entering commissioned service with the U.S. Air Force:

Program Educational Objectives
  1. Recognition as successful Air Force officers through demonstration of their ability to:
    1. Rapidly acquire required knowledge
    2. Lead others effectively
    3. Effectively apply ethical and moral standards
    4. Improve unit performance by application of organizational skills
    5. Make sound decisions based on critical thinking
    6. Communicate effectively
  2. Selection for career training on or ahead of schedule and for a progression of assignments of increasing responsibility
  3. A demonstrated ability to solve Air Force technical problems
  4. Success in continuing education
Student Outcomes

These objectives are assessed through student outcomes—the skills, knowledge and behaviors students should acquire before graduation. The outcomes for this program are:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
CONTACT US

Lieutenant Colonel Avery Snyder
Director, Systems Engineering Program
avery.snyder@afacademy.af.edu

Captain Mikaela Dimaapi
Deputy Director, Systems Engineering Program
mikaela.dimaapi@afacademy.af.edu

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