The System Behind the Engineer: Learning, Connection, and Community

The November monthly meeting is on November 18th from 4:00-5:00 PM ET. Our tech talk will be presented by Adrienne Albregts

November 18, 2026

4:00-5:00PM US/Eastern

SEA Members: the meeting URL is in your calendar invitation, so you do not need to register on EventBrite.

Abstract

Systems engineers spend their careers designing, improving, and connecting complex systems—but what about the system that supports the systems engineer?

As methods, tools, technologies, and expectations evolve, continuous training becomes essential to staying effective and relevant. But professional growth requires more than courses and credentials; it also comes from exchanging ideas, learning from experience, and connecting with people solving similar problems.

This session explores the value of building a professional learning system. We’ll look at how training strengthens technical capability, how community accelerates learning, and how INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering) brings those pieces together through education, certification, technical resources, events, and a global community of systems engineers.

About the Presenter 

Adrienne Albregts currently serves as the Director of Member Experience at INCOSE  (International Council on Systems Engineering), where she develops learning opportunities and connects systems engineers with the knowledge, resources, and professional community they need to grow.

Prior to joining INCOSE, Adrienne was a Technical Instructor at Oracle Corporation, and began her career developing science education content at Reader’s Digest. Throughout her career, she has focused on one deceptively simple challenge: turning complex information into learning that people can actually use. In her spare time, Adrienne enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, traveling to new locations, and burning dinner. She is a Purdue University graduate.

Past Presentations

Rebalancing Agility and Discipline in the Era of AI

The October 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Jeff SchwalbAbstractBackground: For years, organizations building high-stakes, safety-critical software systems relied on rigorous, front-end quality standards. Methods like the Team Software Process℠ (TSP℠) and formal...

Take Control: Exceptional Agile Planning and Tracking

The September 2026 Tech Talk was presented by David TumaAbstractAgile methods have transformed software development, improving customer satisfaction and accelerating speed-to-value. Yet many teams routinely hit an “agile glass ceiling.” If you’ve grappled with missed...

Accelerating DSE: Driving Adoption and Transition at NAVAIR/NAWCWD

The August 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Jennifer Ambrecht and Wendy ChangAbstractWhile the engineering community is increasingly familiar with what Digital Systems Engineering (DSE) is, the true challenge often lies in execution, adoption, and cultural shift. This...

Why Battle-Tested Software Engineering Still Matters in the Age of AI

The June 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Mario BenitezAbstractWhile use of AI in developing and maintaining software is increasing globally, this use is relatively new, and proven practices for using AI effectively are still emerging. There are different ways to use...

The SEA Data Warehouse

The April 2026 Tech Talk announced the availability of the SEA Data WarehouseAbstractThe Data Warehouse Working Group was initiated in September 2022, with the purpose of advancing the state of the practice and the art of software engineering by providing a source of...

Agentic Coding: The Earthquake That Topples the Software Factory

The March 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Larry MaccheroneAbstractThe tectonic plates beneath software development are shifting. They are moving too fast to predict what the landscape will look like when the earthquake hits. Still, we are sure that the coming...

Why Program Increment Estimates Miss: Hidden Variables for Planning

The February 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Dr. Bill Nichols and Dr. Tapajit Dey AbstractWhat is a credible range of dates for when the work in a product increment might finish? Software development work includes many sources of uncertainty, including the size of the...

Lessons from Using LLMs to Check Software Security

The January 2026 Tech Talk was presented by Dr. Mark ShermanAbstractLarge language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are transforming the landscape of software development and evaluation, although claims of AI replacing programmers are often overstated. This session delves...

Process Isn’t a Four-Letter Word

The November 2025 Tech Talk was presented by David TumaAbstractAgile methods emerged as a direct rebellion against the heavyweight processes of the 1990s. And the Team Software Process (TSP) did too, by brilliantly reimagining process in a lightweight, agile way that...

Agile Strategy: Onward and Upward

The September 2025 Tech Talk was presented by Linda Parker GatesAbstractThis talk describes the application of Agile principles to strategic planning. It explores how applying balanced Agile values — such as prioritizing individuals and interactions, delivering...

Engineering of Complex Systems at NAVAIR: We Must Do More With Less!

The June 2025 tech talk was presented by Jeff SchwalbAbstractAt NAVAIR, we are experiencing a dwindling engineering workforce at the same time that we are trying to meet increasing demands for support to our warfighters. We have a combination of efforts uplifting the...

Victims vs. Victors: Navigating Career Uncertainty with Resilience

The May 2025 tech talk was presented by David VanEppsAbstractSetbacks are inevitable. Travel freezes, budget cuts, hiring slowdowns, layoffs — challenges like these can shake our sense of stability. While we can’t always control what happens, we can control how we...

Applying STPA to Improve Safety and Reliability of AI-Enabled Systems

The April 2025 tech talk was presented by Timothy DavisonAbstractThis talk explores the application of System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) to enhance the safety and reliability of AI-enabled systems. STPA provides a structured and scalable approach to identifying...

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