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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$120K - $130K *

Lead the modernization of fire control platforms as an Advanced Systems Engineer, driving cross-functional collaboration and innovative solutions while managing the systems development life cycle and...

Pittsfield, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Grow your career by driving sales and developing strategic relationships within major sectors across the AMER region, ensuring revenue maximization and effective execution of account strategies...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$203K - $290K *

Empower impactful narratives as you architect and lead a global CEO communications strategy, translating complex tech innovations into compelling stories that resonate across media and digital platfor...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $250K *

Drive enterprise-wide network architecture and modernization for mission-critical systems, ensuring security and resilience across hybrid environments. Collaborate on technical designs, implement solu...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$209K - $275K *

Elevate enterprise solutions by collaborating with teams to design and deliver tailored technology architectures, driving business value through technical consulting and product expertise in Cisco's o...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$192K - $248K *

Transform your career by co-owning a territory of commercial customers, leveraging Cisco's innovative portfolio to drive solutions and build lasting relationships across diverse industries in the Dall...

Dallas, TXRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$212K - $268K *

Engage with top Enterprise Organizations as a trusted advisor, showcasing Cisco solutions and aligning them with customer needs. Collaborate with teams to drive innovation and ensure successful outcom...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$202K - $257K *

Empower growth by identifying opportunities and aligning technical strategies with customer goals. Lead solution discussions with executives, drive innovation, and mentor teams to enhance knowledge an...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of the Aerospace & Defense sector by leading sales initiatives across the Americas and EMEA. Drive growth, build strong teams, and develop strategies to expand mar...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and implement a next-gen Design System, ensuring consistent, accessible experiences across products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technical alignme...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's redefining data management solutions. Leverage your expertise in cloud platforms and analytics to support sales teams, drive customer success, and implement innovative data solution...

Raleigh, NCRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$138K - $173K *

Join a team that's transforming manufacturing through digital solutions. Lead cross-functional initiatives, drive process improvements, and ensure seamless integration of technology to enhance operati...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$162K - $290K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge AI-driven safety solutions, leading firmware and full-stack initiatives. Collaborate across teams to shape technology strategy and deliver impactful products that...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $125K *

Lead the charge in diverse control system projects, overseeing tasks and teams while ensuring successful project completion. Collaborate with stakeholders and provide engineering support, driving qual...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $185K *

Champion technical sales execution across diverse domains, driving alignment with growth priorities. Lead a high-performing team, enhance customer outcomes, and provide strategic insights to elevate s...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $220K *

Shape the future of software development by leading a dynamic team, driving innovation, and ensuring successful product delivery in a collaborative, agile environment focused on enhancing IT operation...

Texas, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$172K - $215K *

Lead and develop a national Solutions Engineering team, driving technical wins and ensuring effective deployment of drone technology in public safety. Collaborate with sales and product teams to enhan...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$240K - $320K *

Transform AI adoption and engineering efficiency by leading cross-functional initiatives and driving the strategic integration of innovative technologies across products, ensuring measurable outcomes...

Bellevue, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$233K - $300K *

Drive excellence by leading global quality strategies, enhancing QA practices, and fostering innovation across diverse product teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure high-performing, reliable...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $253K *

Lead the charge in managing a project team focused on high voltage substations, overseeing design, analysis, and implementation to modernize the electric grid while ensuring projects meet client speci...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of software systems for autonomous aviation, managing architecture, integration, and performance across airborne, ground, and cloud environments to enhance operation and reliabili...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Cybersecurity Pre-Sales Technical Architect, driving strategic security solutions and fostering relationships with key stakeholders to enhance business development in...

Lisle, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead governance initiatives in a multi-cloud environment, managing a team to secure and optimize cloud operations. Oversee compliance, develop policies, and optimize costs while ensuring alignment wit...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $218K *

Empower your career by leading SLED capture and proposal strategies. Drive growth and engage diverse teams in this pivotal role, shaping public sector outcomes through innovative procurement and partn...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.