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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$200K - $210K *

Join a dynamic team to lead AI platform strategy and operations, ensuring seamless access and governance while driving enterprise-wide adoption and continuous improvement of innovative AI solutions...

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1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in the AEC industry. As a key member of our VDC group, you'll support design-build projects through advanced BIM technologies, ensuring efficiency and collaborati...

Canton, OHRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$180K - $200K *

Champion innovation by developing scalable backend solutions and troubleshooting complex issues within our Cyber-Physical Systems platform. Collaborate with global teams to enhance performance and ens...

New York, NYRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $214K *

Empower cross-functional teams to deliver complex technical programs, ensuring alignment with business goals. Lead planning, execution, and stakeholder communication while fostering a collaborative en...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of defense business development by leading strategic initiatives in the Defense Space Market. Drive growth opportunities with the U.S. Space Force, enhancing mission integration and c...

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2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$104K - $163K *

Shape the future of IT project management by leading cross-functional teams to deliver impactful technology solutions on time and within scope, while enhancing processes and ensuring effective stakeho...

Largo, FLRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $210K *

Unlock potential by leading engineering for a data-intensive network observability platform, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on customer experience and business goals while...

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3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $185K *

Transform the technology landscape by leading cross-functional teams to enhance Medicaid Enterprise Systems, driving system architecture improvements and mentoring engineers towards high-quality, secu...

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Reposted yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$137K - $172K *

Shape the future of technology delivery by leading complex, cross-functional programs that drive business value. Oversee strategic initiatives, ensuring excellence in execution, client satisfaction, a...

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3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $155K *

Join a team that's dedicated to safeguarding critical systems through expert security management. Leverage your RMF knowledge to ensure compliance, drive remediation, and maintain robust security post...

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$214K - $309K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role in ASIC packaging, leading the Signal and Power Integrity Team to innovate high-speed designs, ensuring optimal performance and collaboration across engineering d...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$133K - $209K *

Join a dynamic IT team as you safeguard cloud infrastructure, enhance security measures, and lead incident response efforts. Your expertise will drive continuous improvement and ensure robust protecti...

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2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$192K - $252K *

Unlock your potential by leading global technical support engineering, driving customer issue resolution, and enhancing service delivery across product lifecycles while collaborating with cross-functi...

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3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Lead and manage design-build projects, ensuring timely completion within budget while meeting client objectives and contractual obligations. Oversee scope development, financial performance, and compl...

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$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in optimizing top-of-funnel marketing operations, driving measurable pipeline growth through strategic planning, data governance, and team leadership. Collaborate with cross-functional...

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4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of identity security by developing impactful enablement programs for pre-sales teams. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance skills and drive busine...

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2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $120K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop user-centric web applications, integrating AI-driven insights for high-stakes decision-making workflows while ensuring performance and sec...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $160K *

Join our dynamic team to design and develop cutting-edge AI platforms, enhancing decision-making workflows through innovative web applications and robust backend services. Collaborate across the full...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

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Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$168K - $200K *

Champion client relationships and lead diverse teams in life sciences, driving project success through strategic planning and scheduling expertise. Empower your career with mentorship and a focus on q...

Portland, ORRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$180K - $240K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering leadership across diverse portfolios. You'll drive operational excellence, foster high-performing teams, and enhance technical consistency while ensuring sust...

Charlotte, NCRemote

1 week ago

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

$170K - $180K *

Lead the charge in overseeing complex software development initiatives, driving Agile sprint teams, and ensuring seamless integration of web services and databases to meet organizational goals while e...

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4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$85K - $130K *

Grow and lead complex multidisciplinary projects from initiation to completion. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients to deliver high-quality results while managing budgets, schedules, and relati...

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3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining application security by guiding customers through complex evaluations. Leverage your expertise in offensive security to build relationships, deliver impactful demos, and...

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Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$102K - $154K *

Lead the charge in managing complex customer escalations, driving rapid resolutions and systemic improvements. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance workflows and customer experiences while ensuri...

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3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.