Systems Engineering Development Framework
The Systems Engineering Development Framework guides practitioners through the steps to build a successful career in systems engineering at NASA, identifying the APPEL KS courses and development activities that can support them and grow their competencies as they move from discipline engineer to subsystem lead, project systems engineer, and finally chief engineer. Terminology and responsibilities can vary by center: In cases where center titles differ from those listed, focus on the substance of the role to find appropriate learning and development opportunities.
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Discipline Engineer
Role Definition: Practitioners who demonstrate an awareness and understanding of NASA’s systems engineering (SE), techniques, and lexicon. They have obtained a working knowledge of technical integration, systems engineering, concepts and tools and have performed tasks and activities to support and contribute to a project.
Click here to view Center Resources and Activities.
For a current list of course offerings available, please visit our Course Catalog.
CURATED CURRICULA
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Obtain a mentor: working with your local Center resources
- Dan Rasky: Mentor & Apprentice Work Model
- ASK Magazine: Getting the Most from Your Mentor
- Charlie Bolden and Johann-Dietrich Wörner on mentors
- John Mather and Dennis McCarthy on mentors
Demonstrate working knowledge of policy documents:
- NPR 7120.5
- NPR 7123.1
- NPD 7120.6
- NPR 7120.8 (NASA Only)
- NASA Program and Project Management Handbook
- Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirements
Join national and international affiliations or technical bodies:
Engage with IAF’s Young Professionals (YP) Workshops
Capture critical technical knowledge:
Explore the knowledge work taking place throughout NASA:
- Review APPEL KS Competency Models for expected proficiencies, skills, and fundamental knowledge of each career level.
- APPEL KS Knowledge Videos
- Explore NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System (NASA Only)
- Review NASA Lessons Learned Repositories
- APPEL KS Small Steps, Giant Leaps Podcast
- APPEL KS INSIGHT Articles
- Explore Case Studies – GSFC Repository (NASA Only)
- Explore Case Studies – APPEL
- Explore Case Studies – NSC (NASA Only)
Subsystem Lead
Role Definition: Practitioners who have participated in or led activities such as requirements development and risk management and/or will have had sufficient experience and responsibility required to prepare them to lead SE and technical integration activities on a subsystem or small project. They demonstrate the application of SE tools, techniques, and lexicon at the project subsystem level, including use of SE best practices.
Click here to view Center Resources and Activities.
For a current list of course offerings available, please visit our Course Catalog.
CURATED CURRICULA
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Obtain a mentor: working with your local Center resources
- Dan Rasky: Mentor & Apprentice Work Model
- ASK Magazine: Getting the Most from Your Mentor
- Charlie Bolden and Johann-Dietrich Wörner on mentors
- John Mather and Dennis McCarthy on mentors
- Author a paper on Project Management
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Masters with Masters series
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Virtual PM Challenge sessions
Demonstrate working knowledge of policy documents:
- NPR 7120.5
- NPR 7123.1
- NPD 7120.6
- NPR 7120.8 (NASA Only)
- NASA Program and Project Management Handbook
- Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirements
Join national and international affiliations or technical bodies:
Engage with IAF’s Young Professionals (YP) Workshops
Capture critical technical knowledge:
Explore the knowledge work taking place throughout NASA:
- Review APPEL KS Competency Models for expected proficiencies, skills, and fundamental knowledge of each career level.
- APPEL KS Knowledge Videos
- Explore NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System (NASA Only)
- Review NASA Lessons Learned Repositories
- APPEL KS Small Steps, Giant Leaps Podcast
- APPEL KS INSIGHT Articles
- Explore Case Studies – GSFC Repository (NASA Only)
- Explore Case Studies – APPEL
- Explore Case Studies – NSC (NASA Only)
Project Systems Engineer
Role Definition: Practitioners who have taken a significant leadership role in multiple phases of a project life cycle, managing programmatic and technical aspects and/or managing all technical integration and SE functions for a system or project that would prepare them for a technical leadership role in support of a major system or project. They demonstrate the integration of SE tools, techniques, and best practices across systems at the project level.
Click here to view Center Resources and Activities.
For a current list of course offerings available, please visit our Course Catalog.
CURATED CURRICULA
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Obtain a mentor: working with your local Center resources
- Dan Rasky: Mentor & Apprentice Work Model
- ASK Magazine: Getting the Most from Your Mentor
- Charlie Bolden and Johann-Dietrich Wörner on mentors
- John Mather and Dennis McCarthy on mentors
- Author a paper on Project Management
- Explore NASA case studies on project manager dilemmas and decision making
- Review monthly PMI’s Learning Page for program and project management trends, webinars, and resources
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Masters with Masters series
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Virtual PM Challenge sessions
Demonstrate working knowledge of policy documents:
Join national and international affiliations or technical bodies:
Engage with IAF’s Young Professionals (YP) Workshops
Capture critical technical knowledge:
Explore the knowledge work taking place throughout NASA:
- Review APPEL KS Competency Models for expected proficiencies, skills, and fundamental knowledge of each career level.
- APPEL KS Knowledge Videos
- Explore NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System (NASA Only)
- Review NASA Lessons Learned Repositories
- APPEL KS Small Steps, Giant Leaps Podcast
- APPEL KS INSIGHT Articles
- Explore Case Studies – GSFC Repository (NASA Only)
- Explore Case Studies – APPEL
- Explore Case Studies – NSC (NASA Only)
Chief Engineer
Role Definition: Practitioners who have contributed to agency goals and who are effective in managing technical and strategic interactions both internal and external to the agency. They have demonstrated superior competencies in ensuring that systems technically fulfill the defined needs and requirements and that a proper systems engineering approach is followed throughout formulation and implementation.
Click here to view Center Resources and Activities.
For a current list of course offerings available, please visit our Course Catalog.
CURATED CURRICULA
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Become a mentor: work with your local Center resources
- Explore NASA case studies on project manager dilemmas and decision making
- Review monthly PMI’s Learning Page for program and project management trends, webinars, and resources
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Masters with Masters series
- Identify PM best practices by reviewing NASA’s Virtual PM Challenge sessions
Demonstrate working knowledge of policy documents:
- NPR 7120.5
- NPR 7123.1
- NPD 7120.6
- NPR 7120.8 (NASA Only)
- NASA Program and Project Management Handbook
- Agency Risk Management Procedural Requirements
Join national and international affiliations or technical bodies:
Engage with IAF’s Young Professionals (YP) Workshops
Capture critical technical knowledge:
Explore the knowledge work taking place throughout NASA:
- Review APPEL KS Competency Models for expected proficiencies, skills, and fundamental knowledge of each career level.
- APPEL KS Knowledge Videos
- Explore NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System (NASA Only)
- Review NASA Lessons Learned Repositories
- APPEL KS Small Steps, Giant Leaps Podcast
- APPEL KS INSIGHT Articles
- Explore Case Studies – GSFC Repository (NASA Only)
- Explore Case Studies – APPEL
- Explore Case Studies – NSC (NASA Only)