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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1
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$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

$90K - $173K *

Optimize supplier performance and quality in a dynamic aerospace environment. Lead critical supplier assessments from qualification to delivery, ensuring compliance with high engineering standards and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in overseeing system integrators and project management, ensuring quality and performance across all phases. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive standardization and risk mitigation...

Ohio, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $130K *

Champion quality and commissioning excellence across diverse construction projects, ensuring compliance and safety while fostering collaboration among teams and stakeholders to drive impactful results...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$188K - $282K *

Join a team that's dedicated to driving technical sales excellence by managing and developing the Solutions Engineering team, ensuring alignment with company goals and fostering a customer-focused env...

Olympia Fields, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$238K - $365K *

Join a team that's redefining lidar technology for autonomy products. Lead the technical strategy, collaborate with experts, and drive innovations from concept to production, ensuring performance and...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$103K - $155K *

Deliver impactful IT project management by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring timely execution of complex resource management tools, and driving successful transitions to operations through effe...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $175K *

Lead and optimize project management efforts, ensuring safety and efficiency while fostering strong relationships with clients and teams. Drive strategic improvements and mentor diverse teams to achie...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

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

$125K - $175K *

Elevate project outcomes by leading diverse teams, ensuring safety, and driving effective communication. Leverage your expertise in construction management to enhance processes and foster strong clien...

Dallas, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving project excellence by leading a diverse group of Project Managers. You'll optimize resources, enhance delivery outcomes, and foster high performance across critical VA initi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$83K - $118K *

Unlock your potential by leading complex IT/SaaS projects, driving execution, and enhancing business processes. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure project success while utilizing Agile methodolo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$209K - $273K *

Advance your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategic execution and operational excellence while ensuring a reliable data platform aligns with enterprise goals and custo...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$102K - $190K *

Pioneer the future of endpoint security by leading a dynamic engineering team, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovative capabilities to protect enterprise assets while aligning with bus...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Champion digital transformation by leading delivery teams in Salesforce projects, ensuring excellence in project management, client relationships, and issue resolution while mentoring consultants and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$217K - $298K *

Lead the charge in shaping Root's platform and AI engineering strategy, overseeing critical infrastructure and driving operational excellence across teams to deliver intelligent products at scale...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead customer engagement and service delivery in cloud and compliance projects. Manage project lifecycles, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while main...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Optimize IT operations by managing day-to-day support for macOS and Windows environments, ensuring seamless onboarding/offboarding, and administering SaaS platforms while enhancing user experience and...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $288K *

Lead the charge in transforming customer identity platforms, driving modernization and operational excellence while overseeing a multi-team engineering organization to enhance security and customer en...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $197K *

Lead the charge in managing strategic client relationships and projects, leveraging your extensive cost management expertise in the data centre sector. Empower teams through mentorship while driving b...

Birmingham, ALRemote

1 week ago

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

$190K - $220K *

Lead the charge in shaping the go-to-market strategy for innovative data security services, driving customer adoption and engagement through compelling narratives and strategic partnerships across tea...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $220K *

Drive the development of innovative security systems using AI/ML, managing risk across identity and access management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security while maintaining ope...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $115K *

Elevate team performance and delivery by leading a technical group, setting clear expectations, providing mentorship, and managing project needs while ensuring quality and employee development in a dy...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in software innovation while mentoring a high-performing engineering team. Drive technical solutions and ensure project success through hands-on involvement, fostering a culture of con...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$181K - $301K *

Transform your career by leading a global cyber defense team, driving proactive strategies to mitigate risks and enhance security across diverse environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams t...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.