USW, USWRE, DoW, logo, seal, 2025

Systems Engineering and Architecture

Systems Engineering and Architecture

Workforce

Workforce Focus Area Graphic, SE&A, Graphic, Chart

SE&A partners with the Military Services and defense agencies to identify workforce challenges and champion initiatives to ensure the DoW maintains its advantage in warfighter readiness in a rapidly evolving technological environment. Cross-cutting workforce initiatives focus on building technical capability and capacity to support current and future leadership priorities in four main categories: Forecast Future Talent Needs, Strengthen Talent Pipeline, Advance Our Workforce Skills, and Close Capability Gaps

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Functional Communities

Engineering (Non-Construction) and Quality Assurance

The Engineering (Non-Construction) workforce (a majority of the 08XX job series) consists of approximately 82,000 acquisition and non-acquisition personnel, and the Quality Assurance workforce (1910 job series) consists of approximately 8,600 acquisition and non-acquisition personnel to support DoW missions. The Executive Director for SE&A serves as the Office of the Secretary of War Functional Community Manager (OFCM) for both functional communities.

OFCM responsibilities are in accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1400.25, Volume 250, Civilian Strategic Human Capital Planning.

ENG (NC)

82,000

QA

8,600

Acquisition Functional Areas

Engineering and Technical Management (ETM) and Test and Evaluation (T&E) 

SE&A ensures the ETM (approximately 62,000) and T&E (approximately 9,000) acquisition workforces are certified current, qualified, and have the capability and capacity to meet current and future leadership priorities. The Executive Director for SE&A serves as the functional area leader (FAL) for these functional areas.

FAL responsibilities are in accordance with DoDI 5000.66, Defense Acquisition Workforce Education, Training, Experience, and Career Development Program. See the ETM and T&E workforce reports below:

Engineering + Technology Management Cover

ETM

62,000

T&E

9,000

Workforce Quality Assurance FC SE&A Graphic Chart

SE&A Workforce Oversight

SE&A is empowering engineers with the technical skills paramount to creating an enduring advantage for America's military.  Check out the ETM and T&E information sheets here to see how OUSW(R&E) efforts help DoW engineers meet challenges in the era of competition.

Resources

DoD Advanced Technical Degree Guidebook

DoD Engineers Make a Difference

DoD Civilian Careers: Engineering

DoD Civilian Careers: Quality Assurance

DoDI 1400.25, Vol. 250, DoD Civilian Strategic Human Capital Planning (SHCP)

Digital Engineering Workforce Plan, March 2022

Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

Acquisition Functional Area Certification Standards

Acquisition Workforce Training Courses

Acquisition Workforce Credentials

DoDI 5000.66, Defense Acquisition Workforce Education, Training, Experience, and Career Development Program

Deployed Credential Assets of Credentials in Development

Workforce Definitions

A group of one or more occupational series or specialties with common functions, competencies, and career paths to accomplish a specific part of the DoW mission. Functional communities engage in workforce planning to ensure mission accomplishment by preparing for emerging missions and changing work requirements; developing competency models, assessing workforce competencies, and identifying mission-critical workforce gaps; identifying recruitment, development, and retention strategies to fill workforce gaps; providing career roadmaps with a "line of sight" for employee career development; and advocating individual competency assessments and development plans to help employees progress and meet professional standards. (DoDI 1400.24, vol 250)

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Contact Us

For more information, contact osd-sea@mail.mil using the following subject line: Attn Workforce

Office of the Under Secretary of War,
Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030