This paper describes a case study in seeking to encourage widespread adoption of Systems Engineering at the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Until recently, the quest for fusion energy has primarily been in the scientific research domain, but with a shift in focus to delivering commercially viable fusion power plants, there is a clear need for SE to help manage the resulting complexity. To help facilitate this transformation, a novel programme was created, entitled ‘A Year of Systems Engineering’, with a mission: To equip and empower everyone working in projects, across all disciplines at UKAEA, with the tools and basic level knowledge to use systems engineering in their day-to-day work. The 12-month programme, starting in June 2020, held regular online events featuring external and internal SE experts, launched an intranet hub of SE information, and created educational resources in response to specific needs in the organisation. Over the course of the programme, demand for SE support on projects increased, resources were adopted into daily work, and feedback from staff indicated that they felt empowered to implement SE principles on projects. Reports from customers also indicated they were thrilled with results from new SE approaches being applied. The programme also reached the international fusion community, offering opportunities for increased collaboration and knowledge sharing around adopting SE in the field. As well as reflecting on the programme, this paper considers the next steps required to further embed SE at UKAEA, building on insights that were gained throughout the year. Finally, the paper identifies lessons learnt that may be applicable to other organisations embarking on a similar transformation journey.