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Chapter 1

Introduction to Systems Engineering

What Is Systems Engineering?

Systems Engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how to design and manage complex systems over their full lifecycle. Unlike software engineering or hardware engineering, which focus on individual components, systems engineering addresses the system as a whole — from the highest level of user needs down to the interfaces between subsystems — and ensures that all parts integrate correctly and that the resulting system fulfils its intended purpose.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) defines systems engineering as "an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems." Key activities include:

  • Eliciting and managing stakeholder requirements
  • Defining system architecture and design
  • Decomposing the system into subsystems and allocating requirements
  • Managing interfaces between components
  • Planning and executing integration, verification, and validation
  • Supporting operations and managing the system through its entire lifecycle

Systems Engineering at EUMETSAT

At EUMETSAT, systems engineering is practised across the full lifecycle of satellite systems. EUMETSAT does not build its own satellites — that is done by ESA and industrial contractors — but EUMETSAT defines what the systems must do, procures the ground segment, operates all missions, and delivers data services to users worldwide. This makes systems engineering at EUMETSAT particularly focused on:

  • Requirements definition and management across multi-mission, multi-partner programmes
  • Ground segment design, procurement, and oversight of industrial development
  • Verification and validation of ground segment systems against operational requirements
  • End-to-end system monitoring across space and ground elements
  • Data processing chain engineering from raw sensor data to meteorological products
  • Transition planning from development into 24/7 operational service

EUMETSAT currently operates missions including Meteosat Second Generation (MSG), Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS/Metop), EPS Second Generation (EPS-SG/Metop-SG), Sentinel-3, Sentinel-6, and is preparing new missions including EPS-Sterna. Each of these programmes involves dedicated systems engineering teams.

How This Plan Is Structured

The learning plan is divided into seven phases, roughly ordered by dependency — foundational concepts first, then domain-specific architecture, then tools and processes, then specialised topics. Phases overlap intentionally, as the best learning happens when concepts from one phase are reinforced by practice in the next. The plan assumes approximately 10–15 hours of study per week alongside professional work.