Systems Engineering

Mission— Systems Engineering

The Systems Engineering program element establishes dedicated funding to carry out the duties as described in 10 U.S.C 133a and the Department of Defense Directive 5137.02, “Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)),” dated July 15, 2020. In alignment with the 2025 Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, the program element supports the administration’s top priorities of Rebuild Our Military and Reestablish Deterrence by reforming the acquisition process, rapidly fielding emerging technologies, and building a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem. This funding directly supports defense acquisition programs and supports rapidly fielding emerging technologies identified by the USD (R&E). Furthermore, it supports the implementation of Department initiatives and advances the development, modernization, and adoption of emerging technologies with speed and agility in the areas of systems engineering, interoperability, digital engineering, software engineering, model-based systems engineering, specialty engineering, value engineering, modular open systems approaches, standardization, and workforce development.

Mission— Engineering Architectures

The Engineering Architectures project advances efforts in system-of-systems architecture for the Department of Defense. The project supports the development of an enterprise-wide strategy to integrate existing and future systems to improve the Department’s technological advantage in joint, multidomain operations. Systems Engineering & Architecture (SE&A) develops policy, guidance, and training to enable rigorous engineering and the accelerated delivery of affordable, innovative, and operationally relevant mission capabilities for U.S. all-domain dominance in an environment with scarce resources, near-peer threats, and continual, rapid, and complex technological change. On behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), this project executes the following activities: • Supports acquisition programs in the development and execution of system-of-systems engineering and architectures to enable accelerated delivery of innovative mission capabilities. • Supports the development of enterprise system-of-systems engineering architecture guidance to facilitate improved interoperability in acquisition programs. • Develops a workforce capable of fielding and sustaining enterprise system-of-systems engineering and architectures.

Mission— Mission Engineering

In FY 2025, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (USD(R&E)) realigned funding from Project Code 842 to Mission Engineering and Integration (ME&I) Program Element 0603142D8Z, Project Code 123 to fund the Office of Mission Integration (MI). This funding structure, which separated funding for MI from funding for the Office of Systems Engineering and Architecture (SE&A), better reflects the organizational structure of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Mission— Systems Engineering

The Systems Engineering project provides resources to develop and promote advanced engineering principles, techniques, and practices across the Department of Defense (DoD); connects and strengthens the technical community; develops the engineering and technical workforce; advances and manages standards; and provides technical expertise for independent engineering assessments to advance the development and adoption of emerging technologies with speed and agility. Engineering is the backbone of technology development and transition, playing a crucial role in turning innovative ideas into practical and real solutions. On behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), this project executes the following activities: • Supports USD(R&E)’s initiatives to modernize the DoD’s systems and software engineering practices to include the use of modular open systems approaches (MOSA) and advanced systems engineering techniques to build systems capable of seamlessly incorporating new technologies to respond to emerging threats. • Furthers the adoption of digital engineering, modeling, and simulations to allow the DoD to rapidly field and implement innovative technologies for the Joint warfighter. • Furthers the adoption of modern Agile/DevSecOps (Development, Security, and Operations) software practices and improves cross-organizational collaboration to modernize DoD software processes, capability, and expertise. • Facilitates execution of the Secretary of Defense initiative to modernize software acquisition to acquire, deliver, and iterate on our weapon and business systems software. Supports collaboration and management activities through the DoD Software Modernization Senior Steering Group in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO), and the Military Services. • Improves delivery of advanced capability to warfighters by modernizing reliability and maintainability, manufacturing and quality, system safety, human systems integration, and value engineering practices. • Identifies, develops, manages, and provides access to standardization processes and products for the defense community to promote interoperability, reduce cost, and sustain readiness. • Leads production of policy, guidance, and workforce development initiatives for the DoD engineering and technical workforce.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)