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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$69K - $101K *

Champion the reliability of automated systems by providing expert technical support, troubleshooting complex issues, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure operational excellence and seamless...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Manage day-to-day infrastructure and customer support, ensuring optimal server performance, security, and incident response. Collaborate on initiatives to enhance operational security and maintain doc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Transform business growth by generating leads and fostering client relationships across Chemicals, O&G, Power, Metals, and Advanced Facilities sectors, driving profitability and strategic sales initia...

Baton Rouge, LARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$208K - $244K *

Accelerate progress at a leading multi-product company by owning the architecture of shared services. Drive innovation in customer identity, commerce, and billing platforms while mentoring senior engi...

Austin, TXRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$90K - $115K *

Accelerate customer success by fostering relationships, driving engagement, and ensuring satisfaction. Collaborate with teams to enhance service delivery and support clients in achieving their goals t...

Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

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

$95K - $130K *

Lead the charge in overseeing field installation activities, ensuring safety and quality while coordinating with project managers and stakeholders to drive successful project execution and adherence t...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $170K *

Advance your career by leading a dynamic team in developing secure access solutions. Drive technical direction, manage project delivery, and mentor engineers while balancing customer reliability with...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $220K *

Lead the charge in enhancing security tooling for compliance and cybersecurity. Collaborate with engineering teams to automate security checks, ensuring a robust pipeline that balances speed and secur...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in developing interoperability specifications for Veteran health information exchange, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance standards and ensure compliance with federal...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$139K - $250K *

Shape the future of cybersecurity by designing secure architectures and leading initiatives to protect systems and infrastructure. Drive improvements in security posture while collaborating with teams...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$98K - $206K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior CSfC Systems Engineer, deploying cutting-edge networking solutions across the U.S. and globally. Leverage your expertise in virtualization and data center architecture...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $148K *

Lead the development and deployment of modular data center solutions. Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams to manage complex projects from design through manufacturing, ensuring high...

New Hampshire, USRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $185K *

Shape the future of cloud management by leading a dynamic team in delivering VMware by Broadcom solutions. Drive technical excellence, mentor talent, and ensure high-quality service delivery for enter...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $215K *

Innovate by driving real-time communications strategies and partner engagement. Shape impactful narratives during breaking news while building scalable programs that connect communications outcomes to...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of power systems engineering. As a key member, you'll design and develop scalable analysis modules, driving innovation in distribution system analysis and optimiz...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by designing CI/CD pipelines and automating processes. Collaborate with teams to enhance development efficiency while ensuring system compliance and security across AWS and Azure...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$113K - $142K *

Design and develop structural engineering solutions for modular data centers. Oversee vendor collaboration, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with local codes, delivering repeatable desi...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career by leading hardware engineering and integration for cutting-edge robotics. Oversee design, commissioning, and team development to enhance automation capabilities across multiple...

Dearborn, MIRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate your career by leading mechanical system upgrades in data centers. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive project success, manage risks, and optimize processes while ensuring alignment wit...

Oregon City, ORRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Lead and optimize PMO strategies for major aviation and infrastructure programs. Drive governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement while mentoring a high-performing team to ensure project...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$95K - $105K *

Lead a dynamic team of Field Engineers to optimize post-sales technical services, ensuring seamless installations and exceptional support for mission-critical audio recording solutions in public safet...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$111K - $144K *

Drive customer success by resolving complex technical issues as a Principal Engineer. Collaborate with teams to enhance support services, ensuring seamless operations and proactive engagement for Powe...

Denver, CORemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$155K - $180K *

Drive successful delivery of complex, multi-year programs in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage scope, budget, and timelines while ensuring client satisfaction an...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of ASIC physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and ensuring design integrity through collaboration and innovative methodolog...

Irvine, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $154K *

Elevate your career by installing and programming advanced electronic security systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure the integrity of communication and power systems while adhering to ind...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

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.