Systems engineering is concerned with the overall process of defining, developing, operating, maintaining, and ultimately replacing quality systems. Where other engineering disciplines concentrate on the details of individual aspects of a system (electronics, mechanics, ergonometrics, aerodynamics, software, etc.), systems engineering is concerned with the integration of all of these aspects into a coherent and effective system. Systems engineers concentrate their efforts on the aspects of the engineering process (requirements definition, top-level functional designs, project management, life cycle cost analysis,...) that serve to organize and coordinate other engineering activities. The systems engineer is the primary interface between management, customers, suppliers, and specialty engineers in the systems development process.
