Systems engineering organization arrives in Lowcountry

As the region’s manufacturing and defense industries have expanded over the past few years, the need for system engineers has also increased.

Now, the growing ranks of professionals tasked with jobs such as work process plotting and project coordination can be part of a global trade organization.

The International Council on Systems Engineering’s Charleston Lowcountry chapter was chartered in July and will hold its first meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at Scientific Research Corp., 1101 Remount Road.

Locally, the not-for-profit organization will look to accomplish three goals:

Promote systems engineering as a profession

Influence academic programs in the region to focus more on systems thinking and problem-solving

Develop talent that will support the area economy and the war effort

The chapter’s membership, already 35 strong, includes representatives from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, academia and the professional sector. Dues are $105 per year, $20 for students.

In addition to holding quarterly meetings, the Lowcountry chapter also plans to work with K-12 students who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a variety of community-based programs.

Keith Plemmons, director of graduate and professional studies at The Citadel’s School of Engineering, is the group’s interim president.

The organization was founded in 1990 with the aim of advancing systems engineering globally. It currently has more than 7,000 members, according to its website.