Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #42

Abstract Systems engineers will address increased complexity and diversity of future systems. The infusion of systems thinking into complex system projects requires systems engineers to have technical and leadership competencies.

Research was conducted on Emily Roebling, an engineering leader whose success exemplified systems thinking and technical leadership in a complex engineering project. During the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, she played a pivotal role in overseeing its completion, effectively managing its technical and logistical challenges. Roebling applied systems thinking principles to the project, considering all interconnected components, coordinating across disciplines, managing stakeholder interfaces, and guiding teams toward optimal outcomes.

Emily Roebling’s contributions as a technical leader in systems engineering were evaluated through a leadership analysis. The findings were then compared with major studies on systems engineering leadership and additional research perspectives on leadership. The goal of this research is to assess how Roebling’s traits, behaviors, and attributes align with established perspectives on systems engineering leadership competencies.