Systems Engineers: From engineer to multi-talent

Those readers who have 20 or more years of professional experience can certainly understand my perception: In my youth, I had a high level of respect for engineers. Their knowledge and ability to master technology was reserved for only a few. And required a long apprenticeship.

That has changed: Technology is now accessible to everyone. Universities post their courses online and 3D printers allow us to create components at low prices. No-code platforms make it easier than ever to get started with programming, and there are training videos and online courses for almost every technology, enabling us to produce impressive results within days or hours.

A career as a systems engineer is one of several ways of dealing with these developments.

Experts are still needed

You could almost think that engineers have been demoted to administrators, but that is not the reality. After all, the world is much more complex. Among other things, we still need experts to develop these technologies: No-code platforms, layout assistants for circuit boards, 3D model optimizers and much more.

Becoming an expert is one possible path for engineers. We have to keep in mind how big the challenges are to get into the top ranks of the tech industry. I remember the following question I was asked in the 2000s when filling out an online profile on a tech website (I can't remember which one):

In the 2000s, there was a website for developers where you had to choose your expertise in specific technologies. The options were:

• Beginners
• Learn
• I have written a book on technology
• I (co-)invented the technology

To become a true expert, we must strive to become the best in our field. Besides the option of writing a book, we have many other options today. But "writing a book" (or co-writing) clearly shows where the bar should be set.

Not only engineering

But a good engineer's skills go beyond pure engineering. Today, development is only one part of the whole. Understanding the product, the Stakeholders and the business are just as important. This is what turns an ordinary engineer into an outstanding engineer.

In today's tech landscape, it is crucial to understand the context in which we operate. It's about making the connection between technology and the real needs of customers and businesses.

Those who have reached this point are at a crossroads. We need to develop the soft skills mentioned above if we want to stand out from the crowd. But then we can still develop into experts by continuously deepening our knowledge in a clearly defined niche.

The path of the expert

Armed with an understanding of the context, we can now build up our expertise accordingly. This includes giving talks, writing papers, perhaps a YouTube or podcast channel. Maybe even writing a book or inventing a new technology.

Typical representatives of this genre are experts such as Linus Torwalds (Linux), James Gosling (Java) or Stephanie Kwolek (Kevlar).

The path of the Systems Engineer

Not surprisingly, there is another way to become a generalist. The focus is no longer exclusively on engineering. Successful product development requires a broader understanding and a multidisciplinary approach. It's about understanding the dynamics behind different areas and recognizing that engineering isn't everything. And this is (surprise!) the way of the systems engineer.

The interplay between technology, business and customer needs is becoming increasingly important. We need to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind a product and the company. The future requires more than technical knowledge - it is about the context and the interplay of various factors that ultimately determine the success of a product.

Conclusion

There are certainly other career options for engineers. However, it is important to understand how much the world has changed in this regard over the last 20-30 years. The systems engineer path is just one of many that have become more visible as a result of these developments. Engineers who understand this and find a way to stand out from the crowd have a clear advantage.