Sapfo Tsoutsou

Project Manager TUE Systems Engineering

Joana Teixeira

Learning and Development Manager | Sociotechnical Expertise Lead

Extended INCOSE Framework – Findings from the NXTGEN Systems Engineering Project

Abstract.

The growing complexity of socio-technical challenges — driven by digital transformation, cyber-physical systems, and artificial intelligence — is outpacing the supply of systems engineers, whose traditional career paths demand 10–15 years of experience due to a persistent gap between academic education and industry needs. To address this, the NXTGEN Systems Engineering project extends the INCOSE Competency Framework (2nd edition, 2025) into an educational model for lifelong SE learning in the Netherlands, adding competences identified as critical but absent from current education — such as dealing with complexity and uncertainty, resilience, agility, and change management — organized into three non-technical pillars (cognitive, social, professional) applied across five progressive technical layers. A Design Structure Matrix (DSM) maps dependencies between competences to inform learning path design, enabling industry partners to define role requirements and curriculum designers to build structured, role-based learning trajectories that bridge the industry–academia divide. We present this work to the INCOSE community seeking validation and feedback to inform its continued development.

Bio Sapfo

Originally from Greece, I have a background in Mechanical Engineering (Dipl. Ing.), followed by a Master’s in Sustainable Process and Energy Technologies (MSc) from TU Delft, and an Engineering Doctorate in Automotive Systems Design at TU Eindhoven. My work experience has been mainly in thermal engineering design and systems engineering, including serving as System Architect and Product Owner at Lightyear, a solar electric vehicle startup. Currently I am leading the NXTGEN Systems Engineering project at TU Eindhoven, developing an educational framework to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements in systems engineering.

Bio Joana

Originally from Portugal, I have a masters in Systemic Psychology. My work experience has been mainly on change implementation through learning programs and talent development training, alongside the private practice of psychotherapy. Currently I am leading the socio-technical research expertise team at TNO/ESI, bringing a human centric perspective to the need for organizational change in our research projects, while developing and managing learning programs for System Engineers in the high-tech industry..