When
Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. (MST)
Alejandro Salado
Director of Systems Engineering
Associate Professor of Systems and Industrial Engineering
The University of Arizona
"Toward a Science of Systems Engineering: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Implications"
ENGR 301
Abstract: Although systems engineering has a long history of successful application, its foundations have traditionally been grounded more in practice than in formal theory. This has led to a rich body of heuristics and methods, but also to ambiguity and inconsistency in core concepts and approaches. In this research seminar, I will explore recent developments in the theoretical foundations of systems engineering and their implications for practice. By introducing formal constructs and theoretical models, we challenge long-standing assumptions and practices in areas such as problem definition, system architecture, and verification and validation. These advances not only offer greater conceptual clarity but also lead to more robust, repeatable, and effective engineering outcomes. The talk aims to demonstrate how grounding systems engineering in theory can enhance both understanding and application.
Bio: Alejandro Salado, Ph.D. is an associate professor of systems engineering with the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering at the University of Arizona and the director of the systems engineering program. In addition, he provides part-time consulting in areas related to enterprise transformation, cultural change of technical teams, systems engineering, and engineering strategy. Alejandro conducts research in problem formulation, design of verification and validation strategies, model-based systems engineering, and engineering education. Before joining academia, he held positions as systems engineer, chief architect, and chief systems engineer in manned and unmanned space systems of up to $1B in development cost. He has published over 150 technical papers, and his research has received federal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Naval Surface Warfare Command (NSWC), the Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), among others. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and the International Fulbright Science and Technology Award. Salado holds a BS/MS in electrical and computer engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, a MS in project management and a MS in electronics engineering from the Poly-technic University of Catalonia, the SpaceTech MEng in space systems engineering from the Technical University of Delft, and a PhD in systems engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology.