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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$115K - $175K *

Join a strategic team as you oversee complex web projects, drive digital initiatives, and promote best practices, all while collaborating across functions. Make a real-world impact while shaping the f...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Elevate the technical architecture vision and execution across a product portfolio, driving the transition to a scalable, cloud-native SaaS environment while integrating AI, data, and security. Collab...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Innovate in mission planning by developing autonomous operations for satellite constellations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, prototype code, and optimize algorithms...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of AI integration by leading complex projects, bridging technical teams and leadership. Drive Agile methodologies, manage risks, and ensure timely deliverables in a dynamic environmen...

Virginia, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$216K - $318K *

Drive innovation as you lead engineering teams to build and scale Life360's critical platforms. Ensure reliability and security while fostering a culture of accountability and technical excellence for...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career with a pivotal role in physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful tapeout readi...

San Jose, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$179K - $254K *

Join a team that's driving the future of mobility and IoT! Oversee product lifecycles, collaborate with executives, and navigate complex networks to align cutting-edge solutions with customer needs an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $160K *

Champion advanced IT infrastructure solutions by providing Tier 3 engineering and support. Leverage your expertise in Microsoft technologies to resolve complex issues, enhance system performance, and...

Washington DC, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $210K *

Unlock your potential as a Systems Engineer, driving technical risk analysis and supporting mission-critical systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, develop, and maintain secure, scalable...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$72K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to designing and implementing innovative Cyber solutions, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance throughout the lifecycle. Collaborate with architects and de...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$500K+*

Lead the transformation of media ingestion and distribution systems, driving automated, AI-powered workflows that enhance efficiency and accelerate content delivery to a global audience. Collaborate a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$157K - $283K *

Lead the charge in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, managing client relationships, overseeing construction management efforts, and ensuring program success through strategic planning an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $180K *

Champion integrated marketing strategies to drive growth, enhance brand awareness, and support sales initiatives. Lead cross-functional teams in executing customer-centric programs that generate deman...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform the engineering landscape by leading teams to innovate AI-assisted software development, ensuring timely delivery of next-gen products while enhancing existing offerings. Drive strategic exe...

New Germany, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$220K - $340K *

Champion construction delivery excellence across global data center sites, managing GC performance and budgets of $25M+. Lead strategy, negotiate contracts, and represent construction risks to executi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $120K *

Optimize building assessments and capital projects while leading teams and managing client relationships. Oversee project scopes, budgets, and timelines to deliver impactful outcomes in a collaborativ...

Victoria, BCRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$108K - $145K *

Shape the future of project management as a Senior Cost Manager, driving cost efficiency and strategic decision-making. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance client value and foster strong relatio...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

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

$190K - $210K *

Transform the contract management landscape for large-scale data center projects. Oversee RFx processes, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance while collaborating with cross-functional teams to m...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Transform your career by leading complex design change projects from inception to execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage substantial budgets, and drive innovation in a fast-paced e...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $200K *

Drive global mechanical category strategy for advanced thermal management systems, ensuring optimal cost, quality, and reliability across a diverse supplier ecosystem while supporting scalable data ce...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $383K *

Join us to lead the contracts function in a dynamic Federal contracting environment. Oversee a team of 20+ professionals, develop strategies, and negotiate complex contracts while fostering strong rel...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$189K - $259K *

Unlock operational success by leading global strategy and performance in Customer Success Operations, driving data-driven insights, seamless processes, and effective stakeholder engagement to enhance...

Colorado, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $250K *

Engage with clients as a trusted advisor, driving technical sales and solution design in cybersecurity. Collaborate with teams to translate complex challenges into impactful solutions, ensuring alignm...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$220K - $330K *

Unlock potential by leading high-performing solution engineering teams in Financial Services. Drive pre-sales strategies, mentor talent, and enhance customer experiences through innovative AI solution...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $165K *

Pioneer in leading a dynamic team of Solution Engineers, optimizing multi-discipline datacenter solutions across data protection, storage, compute, and networking. Drive collaboration to shape industr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.