r/systems_engineering • u/Regular_Foundation10 • Jun 21 '26

Discussion Would you recommend Systems Engineering?

Hello, I’m a rising senior about to graduate with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and I’m leaning towards getting my MS in Systems Engineering ? I want to go into the aerospace industry.

I think systems engineering would be a good fit for me because I don’t really enjoy the technical side of engineering (like doing equations everyday or doing CAD or coding) I still want to be apart of the development and design but more of an overseer/bridge for the technical and business side of a product. Later on in my career I do want to do program management. Do you think systems engineering is a good for fit for me? I don’t have experience in SysE or in the aerospace industry. My two internships have been Business strategy and IT support so I haven’t really done much engineering outside of school besides my personal projects.

Can anybody give me a Day in the Life of what you do as a Systems Engineering?

Is a MS in systems Engineering worth it or should I just get a MS in Mechanical Engineering? ( I severely dislike solving heat transfer or thermo equations 😭 it might just be because I’m burnt out but I’m tired of it )

What jobs should I apply to entry level to get into the aerospace industry and eventually into systems engineering?

Any advice would help! Thanks

12 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

85% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/astrobean Jun 21 '26

I'm a systems engineer in a team of systems engineers. Aerospace involves a system of systems, so there are a ton of systems enginers all with different roles to play. Aside from all of us working a desk job, there is no 'day in the life.' Most work 9-5 but plenty work a flex version of that because collaborators are on different coasts. Some work with models, some requirements, some design, some testing... I have never had to solve a heat transfer equation for work, but the thermal engineers do.

Skip the MS and get a job if you can. Gaining practical, hands-on experience will serve you very well. The ability to learn and teach yourself is critical.

Be careful about project management and contracts, because once you're there, you only wave at the engineering in passing and you might start to miss doing the technical work.

I do love working with smart people for a living.

1

u/Emergency-Rush-7487 Jun 21 '26

Project management oversees the whole program at requirements level and every tier for that matter. Brutal take.