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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$132K - $180K *

Drive impactful GTM systems strategy by optimizing processes and technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer engineering workflows, ensuring alignment and continuous improv...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $250K *

Lead the charge in advancing product safety by developing robust safety frameworks and engaging with partners and regulators. Leverage a multi-disciplinary team to manage the path towards safe and com...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$225K - $275K *

Lead the charge in redefining Total Rewards strategy, enhancing compensation, equity, and benefits to attract and retain top talent while anticipating workforce shifts driven by AI and market trends...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's focused on federal product marketing, driving value creation through Zero Trust strategies. Engage with government agencies to craft compelling messaging, support RFP processes, and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Analyze customer needs and advance technical solutions in cybersecurity, collaborating with sales and product teams to deliver impactful presentations and proposals while ensuring seamless product int...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform business workflows by developing and maintaining applications that enhance productivity and information sharing across teams. Collaborate with IT and business units to deliver innovative sol...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$154K - $260K *

Develop AI-driven workflows to enhance CI/CD systems, ensuring safe, efficient software delivery. Collaborate with teams to reduce tech debt and improve production reliability while scaling engineerin...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$131K - $243K *

Elevate your career by leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements, support agile processes, and drive successful project outco...

Littleton, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$132K - $251K *

Unlock potential by leading the strategic modernization of Supply Chain applications, guiding enterprise transformation initiatives, and aligning application roadmaps with organizational goals to enha...

Virginia, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $245K *

Pioneer data-driven engineering for our Autonomy Data Flywheel initiative, overseeing the entire lifecycle to enhance AI-driven operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve quality a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$162K - $211K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to build and maintain production platforms, driving architectural decisions and mentoring junior engineers while ensuring system reliability and integration with IT Sec...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Drive the strategy and development of innovative motion technology solutions, overseeing globally distributed engineering teams to deliver high-quality software. Collaborate with stakeholders to align...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$102K - $135K *

Accelerate the deployment of modular data centers by serving as a crucial interface between hyperscale clients and product development. Lead technical discovery, capture customer requirements, and dri...

New Hampshire, USRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$235K - $294K *

Lead and mentor a high-performing design team, driving product design strategy and delivering user-centric solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance customer experiences and foster a culture...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $243K *

Deliver innovative disaster recovery solutions for healthcare systems, ensuring compliance and resilience for clinical workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $175K *

Unlock your potential as a leader in training development, overseeing curriculum design and delivery. Drive continuous improvement and ensure high-quality training programs that align with operational...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of energy through advanced power system modeling and compliance assessments. Collaborate with a dynamic team to conduct studies, ensure project quality, and drive...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Engage in designing and implementing robust cybersecurity solutions while managing security technologies and cloud services. Collaborate across teams to ensure operational performance and support clie...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$98K - $155K *

Optimize mission-critical satellite communications systems through installation, testing, and maintenance. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure operational readiness and reliability across global...

Virginia Beach, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$171K - $202K *

Drive the creation and oversight of a risk framework that balances growth with security. Partner with cross-functional teams to implement risk strategies operationally, while conveying insights to exe...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$240K - $330K *

Transform the GTM Systems landscape by leading strategy, architecture, and operations. Drive efficiency across Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success through innovative solutions and data governance...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform security architecture by defining standards, leading reviews, and managing risks. Collaborate with teams to ensure secure, efficient integration of applications and AI, while maintaining cle...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $155K *

Drive security excellence by managing operations, vulnerability assessments, and incident responses. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to safeguard cloud infrastructure and applications while en...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$123K - $164K *

Drive end-to-end design execution for major data center projects, leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment with safety, sustainability, and commercial goals throughout the project lifecycle...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $150K *

Transform project execution by leading multimillion-dollar automated storage solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence, and customer satisfaction a...

Romeoville, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.