Systems Design Engineer Review

It is important to understand Systems Engineering is a discipline in its own right. Systems Engineers are responsible for the entire System of Interest (SoI) across its full lifecycle, including initial requirements development, system verification, and final retirement. This gives context as to the breadth of my tasks. Working as a system engineer gives vast exposure to many different aspects of a product and engineering as a whole.
An average day consisted of a multitude of tasks such as problem solving technical issues by analysing system traffic to facilitating a major design review to showcase a qualified product to a panel. I also wrote many customer facing documents whether that is informing them of new system configuration and design or a high priority/short deadline instruction memo.

Yes, I was continuously responsible for programme deliverables which had real consequences and impacts to the company and team. I also found myself in the position where I was the knowledge base for certain parts of the system and colleagues would come to me for information and clarity.

Previously, I did not even know about the discipline of Systems Engineering and now I have had experience with many different aspects of the discipline and developed skills of which I will keep with me along my whole career path, even if I do not continue in this discipline! These skills are split into technical skills associated with Systems Engineering as can be referenced from the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook or the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, or engineering as a whole in general. These include critical technical analysis, understanding System Engineering concepts such as 'Systems V Diagram', 'The Golden Thread Theory', 'The Systems Boundary Concept' and the process of Design Reviews. There are also many soft skills which are learnt such as communication, risk management, time management, interdisciplinary working, and being a team player.
All these skills and more were learnt or developed across my 12 months on placement. Also, to mention my first experience in a professional work environment and what entails with being in this environment.

There are many avenues for guidance whilst on a placement and Point of Contacts to go through if you have any issues. Formally, there are Technical Coordinators who are there for you if you have any queries and are usually independent from your team. Additionally, you have your line manager of which mine were always happy to help and answer any queries. Before you even join you are associated with a buddy who guides you through onboarding plus also serves as another point of contact if you have concerns or want to talk about anything whether work related or not.
Moreover, the work environment is very friendly and personally I could talk to many people on my team to ask questions whether technical or not.

Personally, I really like the culture at MBDA. It was very friendly and has lots of room for personal development. I was always given recognition for hard work and recognised by both immediate and senior management for my efforts. This fosters an environment where you can excel and are recognised for being proactive.
For Early Careers Programme colleagues there is a good social environment and I found it easy to make good friends. There are also many events which take place whether for charity or for our armed forces such as remembrance day or having different military personnel showcase themselves at armed forces day.

I really enjoyed my placement to the extent I shall be returning after my degree for the graduate scheme. The work was really interesting and my natural curiosity was allowed to run which is very important to me. Additionally, it allowed me to gain experience and exposure to many different areas of the business (not just engineering) and also the different aspects to actually engineering in industry.

Yes