A professional activity of at least 50 percent during the training to become a systems engineer HF (formerly technician HF systems engineering) is not only possible, but even required. The professional activity must be carried out in a professional field related to systems engineering. You can obtain more detailed information on this directly from the higher technical colleges (HF).

As system technicians HF (formerly technicians HF system technology) have knowledge of control and automation technology, they work in mechanical and plant engineering, in measurement, diagnostic and precision device construction, in robotics or in micro and nanotechnology. Depending on the specialization (the specializations differ depending on the HF and are not offered by all schools), there are different areas of application:

• HF systems engineering technicians specializing in automation work wherever automated systems are used, usually in industrial companies
• System technicians HF with a specialization in medical technology deal with medical devices that are used for diagnoses or therapies
• Systems engineering technician HF with specialization in mechatronics combine computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering
• HF system technicians specializing in pharmaceutical and chemical technology work in the technical and scientific area of a laboratory or industrial company

Systems engineers work in specialist and management positions in consulting and sales, as managers in customer service, service and commissioning, as managers in production and development or as project managers. Systems engineers HF can also be found in controlling or logistics.

You should have the following personal skills for a career in systems engineering HF:

• Interest in technical systems and interrelationships
• Team and communication skills
• Resilience and stamina
• Willingness to take on responsibility and to undergo continuous further training

After completing systems engineering training and studying at a university of applied sciences, graduates are awarded the federally recognized title of "qualified systems engineer HF" (formerly "qualified technician HF systems engineering").

The following development opportunities are available after studying systems engineering:

• Courses
  • from trade associations
  • from vocational schools
  • from higher technical colleges
• University of Applied Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) in Systems Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) in Mechanical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) Microtechnology
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) Electrical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Science (FH) in Photonics
• Postgraduate level in areas such as automation, automation management, energy systems, business engineering management, IT, programming technology, project and quality management, etc.
  • Offers at higher technical colleges
  • Offers from universities of applied sciences

The typical system technician tasks are:

• Responsible for systems at the interface between mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and IT
• Developing components for new systems
• Combine existing assemblies with control units to form complete systems
• ensure the functionality and further development of operational systems
• take customer requirements, operational processes and environmental factors into account when developing new systems
• plan, develop and network the electronic and mechanical components in complex systems and program the appropriate software
• plan and monitor the commissioning of the system
• are responsible for meeting deadlines and cost targets
• are responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of existing systems
• take care of quality assurance, occupational safety and environmental issues
• Carry out functional tests to determine and rectify the causes of faults
• Optimize processes
• Develop concepts for quality optimization, data protection and data security
• usually lead a team in system technology
• Collaboration with various internal and external specialists
• Possibly taking on tasks in logistics, controlling, sales or consulting

Depending on the university of applied sciences, you can study systems engineering HF with different specializations. Make sure you find out about these specializations before enrolling at a HF so that you can choose the school that offers the exact specialization in systems engineering HF that you are most interested in.

During the systems engineering training to become a systems engineering technician HF (new: systems technician HF), you will receive comprehensive training in a wide range of subjects, in mathematics and statistics as well as in business administration, project management as well as in electrical engineering and electronics. Digital technology, physics, automation, graphical programming and C programming, software engineering, control engineering and materials are also part of the further training to become a systems technician HF, whereby the subjects also depend on the chosen specialization.

As a rule, persons with the following previous education are admitted to the Systems Engineering degree program:

• Completion of at least 3 years of relevant basic vocational training in a technical profession (e.g. EFZ automation technician, EFZ automotive mechatronics technician, EFZ electronics technician, EFZ electrical fitter, EFZ IT technician, EFZ design engineer, EFZ polymechanic, or similar)

Or

• Completion of at least 3 years of basic training in another profession or a high school diploma and at least 1 year of professional practice in a technical environment (additional aptitude assessment by a higher technical college)

Continuing education, further training to become a CHE systems engineer (formerly CHE systems engineering technician) takes six semesters, i.e. three years.

Under certain circumstances, the degree course in Systems Engineering can also be completed as a full-time course, in which case the duration is reduced to four semesters.

Ask the school of your choice which options are offered.