The perception of the value and propriety of modern engineered systems is changing. In addition to their functional and extra-functional properties, nowadays' systems are also evaluated by their sustainability properties. The next generation of systems will be characterized by an overall elevated sustainability -- including their post-life, driven by efficient value retention mechanisms. Current systems engineering practices fall short of supporting these ambitions and need to be revised appropriately. In this paper, we introduce the concept of circular systems engineering, a novel paradigm for systems sustainability, and define two principles to successfully implement it: end-to-end sustainability and bipartite sustainability. We outline typical organizational evolution patterns that lead to the implementation and adoption of circularity principles, and outline key challenges and research opportunities.

翻译：现代工程系统在价值与合理性方面的认知正在发生转变。除功能性与非功能性属性外，当今系统还需依据其可持续性进行评估。下一代系统将具备全面增强的可持续性特征——包括通过高效价值保留机制驱动的系统生命周期后阶段。现有系统工程实践难以支撑这些目标，亟需进行相应革新。本文提出循环系统工程这一面向系统可持续性的新型范式，并定义了成功实施该范式的两项原则：端到端可持续性与双元可持续性。我们勾勒了推动循环性原理实施与采纳的典型组织演进模式，同时阐述了关键挑战与研究机遇。