ETM Course Description.pdf

Course 1: Digital Engineering for Defense Acquisition (40 Hours) This course introduces the principles and discipline of Systems Engineering and the technologies and acquisition practices driving the Army’s transition to Digital Engineering. It examines the systems engineering process framework used to create complex systems and describes how these processes are implemented through standard lifecycle models, organizational structures, contracts, and acquisition programs.

Students receive an overview of the systems engineering processes outlined in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, and the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge, with emphasis on how these foundational processes are transformed and enabled by Digital Engineering. The course emphasizes that systems engineering technical processes operate within the project environment established by contracts, acquisition strategies, and organizational policies.

Topics include:

. Systems Engineering Principles and Practices . DoD Digital Engineering Strategy . DE Glidepath . Digital Engineering Ecosystem . Virtual Environments . Digital Thread . Digital Twin Concepts . Model-Based Systems Engineering . Modular Open Systems Approach . Use of Authoritative Engineering Data

Students examine how these capabilities affect requirements development, architecture, technical management, acquisition planning, capability integration, verification and validation, and lifecycle sustainment.

Through research assignments and practical exercises, students apply systems engineering and digital engineering concepts to process areas relevant to defense acquisition. Upon completing the course, students will be able to explain how established systems engineering principles provide the foundation for Digital Engineering and how Digital Engineering fundamentally changes the way the Army develops, acquires, integrates, and sustains complex defense capabilities.

Course 2: Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Architecture for Acquisition Professionals (24 hours) Develops the knowledge needed to effectively specify, evaluate, and manage Model- Based Systems

Engineering (MBSE) within Army acquisition programs. Rather than emphasizing model development, the course focuses on using digital models as technical management artifacts throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

Topics include:

. Requirements traceability . Architecture development . System decomposition . Model governance . Digital technical reviews . Engineering baselines Through these topics, students learn how MBSE supports acquisition decision-making, risk reduction, and interoperability across complex defense systems.

Course 3: Engineering Data, Digital Thread, and Technical Data Management (24 hours) Examines engineering data as a strategic acquisition asset and explores the technologies and governance practices that enable enterprise Digital Engineering.

Topics include:

. Authoritative engineering data . Metadata . Digital Threads . Configuration management . Engineering repositories . Interoperability standards These elements support technical collaboration across government and industry. The course also addresses engineering data rights, digital interoperability, lifecycle traceability, knowledge management, and the governance required to ensure that engineering information remains accessible, reusable, secure, and authoritative throughout a system’s lifecycle.

Course 4: Managing Digital Engineering Across the Defense Acquisition Lifecycle (24 hours) Focuses on the practical application of Digital Engineering throughout the planning, execution, and oversight of Army acquisition programs. Students learn how to incorporate Digital Engineering requirements into acquisition strategies, solicitations, statements of work, contract deliverables, technical reviews, and source selections.

Additional topics include:

. Evaluating contractor Digital Engineering capabilities

. Managing engineering risk

. Integrating DevSecOps and Agile development practices

. Overseeing digital technical baselines

. Measuring Digital Engineering maturity to improve acquisition outcomes

Course 5: Digital Engineering Leadership Capstone for DoD Modernization (24 hours) Serves as the culminating applied experience for the certificate by integrating Digital Engineering, systems engineering, engineering data management, and acquisition strategy into a realistic Army modernization program. Working in multidisciplinary acquisition teams, students develop a comprehensive Digital Engineering implementation strategy that includes:

. Acquisition planning . Engineering data governance . Model-based technical management . Interoperability planning . Risk assessment . Executive decision support

The capstone emphasizes the leadership, technical judgment, and acquisition decision-making required to successfully deliver digitally engineered capabilities across the Army enterprise.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

. Apply Digital Engineering principles to improve Army acquisition planning and program execution.

. Evaluate and manage Model-Based Systems Engineering artifacts throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

. Develop strategies for managing authoritative engineering data, Digital Threads, and technical interoperability across complex defense programs.

. Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) as a key component of system design and evaluation, document and artifact review and intelligence, risk assessment, as well as staff knowledge acquisition and transfer.

. Integrate key cybersecurity considerations and the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) into the Digital Engineering lifecycle.

. Integrate Digital Engineering requirements into acquisition strategies, contracts, technical reviews, and program governance.

. Lead the implementation of Digital Engineering practices that accelerate modernization, reduce technical risk, and improve lifecycle outcomes for DoD acquisition programs.

This sequence positions graduates to serve as informed technical acquisition leaders—professionals who understand not only the engineering behind modern defense systems, but also how to acquire, govern, and sustain those systems within the Army’s evolving Digital Engineering Ecosystem.