Director, Systems Engineering Jobs

Explore Director, Systems Engineering opportunities on Ladders, where you can find vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. These senior leaders guide the design, integration, and performance of complex systems while aligning engineering work with business goals.

What Does a Director of Systems Engineering Do?

Directors of Systems Engineering set technical direction across products, platforms, and programs. They oversee systems architecture and requirements, coordinate cross-functional engineering teams, manage technical risks, and help ensure solutions meet performance, reliability, security, and regulatory expectations. The scope varies by organization and industry, from software and telecommunications to aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and healthcare technology.

Common Responsibilities

  • Define systems engineering strategy, architecture principles, and technical roadmaps.
  • Lead managers and multidisciplinary teams through development, integration, verification, and validation.
  • Translate customer and business needs into system requirements and measurable outcomes.
  • Oversee budgets, schedules, staffing, vendor relationships, and program risks.
  • Partner with product, software, hardware, operations, and executive leaders.
  • Improve engineering processes, quality practices, and lifecycle governance.

Qualifications and Skills

Employers commonly seek extensive engineering experience and a record of leading complex programs or large technical teams. A bachelor's degree in systems engineering or a related discipline is often expected; some positions prefer an advanced degree. Valuable strengths include systems architecture, requirements management, integration and test, risk management, technical communication, strategic planning, and people leadership. Specific qualifications depend on the employer and sector.

Find Director, Systems Engineering Roles on Ladders

Browse vetted Director, Systems Engineering openings and compare opportunities by employer, location, industry, and responsibilities. Ladders focuses on professional roles paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineering leaders explore their next career move.

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$135K - $160K *

Drive technical leadership in product development for advanced EO/IR systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, oversee design, and ensure successful integration and test...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $280K *

Drive integration excellence as a Lead Systems Engineer, overseeing cloud, network, and security subsystems. Lead hands-on engineering efforts, mentor teams, and ensure compliance while shaping techni...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$193K - $321K *

Lead and innovate within a dynamic engineering organization, overseeing a diverse team to deliver advanced solutions for naval systems. Drive strategy, enhance processes, and ensure technical excellen...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$193K - $321K *

Lead and inspire a diverse engineering team across multiple sites, driving innovation and excellence in naval systems development. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful project execution...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$148K - $223K *

Transform build operations in secure environments by leading automation efforts, driving compliance, and enhancing processes. Serve as a vital link between technical teams, ensuring operational excell...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$220K - $290K *

Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$220K - $290K *

Empower innovation by leading systems engineering for autonomous aviation. Drive strategy, manage cross-functional teams, and ensure safety and performance in developing cutting-edge technologies for...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $266K *

Drive success as you lead a remote team of Systems Engineers to enhance technical sales and partner engagement across the Southwest Mountain region, ensuring strong product adoption in a rapidly evolv...

Colorado, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$266K - $399K *

Drive technical excellence as you lead multidisciplinary teams in systems engineering, ensuring mission success and integrity across complex programs while shaping long-term strategies and fostering c...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$168K - $252K *

Take ownership of system architecture and integration for a critical space program. Lead a talented team, manage complex requirements, and ensure mission success under tight timelines while shaping th...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion advanced IT support and systems administration, guiding teams to resolve complex issues while enhancing client environments. Collaborate on infrastructure and cloud initiatives, ensuring top...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive your career with a leadership role overseeing prototyping and solution support. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical proposals with customer needs, manage project execution...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $175K *

Advance mission integration through innovative systems engineering and architecture design, ensuring robust capability delivery for diverse operational needs in a dynamic defense environment...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $155K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of power electronics systems. Lead technical authority and design efforts, ensuring compliance with customer specifications while managing risks and guiding multi...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $260K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in space technology as a leader in Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test. Oversee a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the successful execution of strategic ob...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$200K - $260K *

Join a team that's redefining satellite ground systems by leading a multidisciplinary engineering group. Drive innovation, manage priorities, and ensure mission success through strategic partnerships...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$85K - $102K *

Elevate your career by providing hands-on IT support and systems administration in a dynamic, client-facing role. Collaborate with technical teams to enhance user experiences and maintain robust clien...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Transform systems engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team, enhancing best practices, and ensuring effective resource management throughout project lifecycles in a dynamic environmen...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of engineering projects, leading system design, implementation, and problem resolution initiatives. Bring your expertise to mentoring engineers while ensuring cust...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for a major platform program, ensuring rigorous management of architecture, requirements, and verification from concep...

Mirabel, QCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Elevate engineering outcomes by leading global software teams in semiconductor integration and testing, ensuring robust solutions through hands-on development and strategic alignment with product mana...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing infrastructure solutions while managing a talented team. Drive innovation in cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring alignment with business goals and...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$124K - $238K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of spacecraft systems engineering. Leverage your expertise to lead cross-functional teams in developing complex spacecraft designs, ensuring compliance, and drivi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $238K *

Accelerate progress at the system level by leading cross-functional teams in spacecraft design, requirements management, and fault analysis. Drive integration, verification, and validation activities...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$220K - $260K *

Lead the charge in shaping technical strategies for AI solutions, engaging with customers and internal teams to drive innovative software architectures and cloud solutions across the Intelligence Comm...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Systems Engineering do?question toggle

    A Director of Systems Engineering sets technical strategy and oversees teams responsible for system architecture, requirements, integration, verification, and delivery. The role also connects engineering decisions to business objectives, timelines, budgets, and customer needs.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Director, Systems Engineering jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers often look for a bachelor's degree in systems engineering or a related technical field, substantial engineering experience, and a history of leading multidisciplinary teams or complex programs. Some roles prefer an advanced degree or industry-specific credentials.

  • Which industries hire Directors of Systems Engineering?question toggle

    Employers may include companies in aerospace and defense, software, telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare technology, and other industries that develop or operate complex systems.

  • What skills are important for a Director of Systems Engineering?question toggle

    Commonly valued skills include systems architecture, requirements management, integration and test, technical risk management, strategic planning, cross-functional communication, budgeting, and team leadership.

  • Where can I find Director, Systems Engineering jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Ladders features vetted professional job opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Browse current listings to explore Director, Systems Engineering roles by employer, location, industry, and responsibilities.