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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$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

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by designing and optimizing enterprise data solutions in a Databricks Lakehouse environment, supporting critical missions with a focus on scalability and best practices...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $163K *

Transform the future of C4I modernization by shaping system architecture and capabilities. Collaborate with an international team to define requirements, develop documentation, and ensure alignment wi...

Colorado, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Champion the successful delivery of customer projects through all phases, ensuring alignment with business goals by coordinating teams and resources while managing risks and transacting key communicat...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$161K - $242K *

Join a team that's driving strategic initiatives and digital transformation. Collaborate with senior leaders to tackle complex challenges, influence decision-making, and ensure successful execution of...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Champion the evolution of our billing systems by leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive strategy, ensure accuracy, and collaborate across departments to enhance customer trust as we scale our usage...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of our web strategy by leading a cross-functional team to optimize user experience, drive demand generation, and enhance web performance. Your expertise will transform our website int...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$154K - $225K *

Pioneer innovation in enterprise wireless solutions by leveraging expertise in Wi-Fi standards, technical marketing, and compelling content creation. Collaborate with teams to engage top-tier customer...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$72K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as you collaborate on innovative electrical designs, progressing from basic tasks to complex projects while ensuring quality and efficiency in a supportive environment...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$203K - $280K *

Reimagine the future of manufacturing by leading a dynamic Applications Engineering team. Drive technical assessments, build customer relationships, and ensure seamless communication between clients a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$157K - $238K *

Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $108K *

Transform embedded control systems by designing, integrating, and validating innovative features. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver cutting-edge solutions in remote applications, enhancing fu...

Mossville, ILRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$90K - $110K *

Empower your career by bridging technical solutions and customer needs in the drive-thru technology space. Collaborate with Sales and Product teams to design and deliver innovative solutions that enha...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of utility substation engineering by developing a high-performing team, driving business growth, and delivering integrated solutions for electric utility clients...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Drive the vision for a high-impact Data Engineering Practice, leading strategy, P&L, talent, and client engagement to transform enterprise data into strategic assets and AI-ready infrastructure...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $185K *

Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team to drive channel partnerships, transforming opportunities into revenue-generating relationships across diverse verticals in a fast-growing ecosystem...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's focused on delivering successful project outcomes by building comprehensive schedules, defining responsibilities, and managing timelines effectively to ensure client satisfaction an...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$132K - $238K *

Lead the design and integration of advanced mechanical systems for hyperscale data centers, focusing on liquid cooling technologies and ensuring performance, manufacturability, and compliance with ind...

Austin, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation in fiber optic communication by leading the design and development of high-speed transceivers, collaborating with engineering teams to address complex network switch connectivity chal...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Champion enterprise change management strategies to drive successful adoption of transformation initiatives. Collaborate with leaders and teams to assess impacts, prepare for change, and enhance organ...

Franklin, TNRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$117K - $235K *

Innovate in remote sensing research by leading complex projects, implementing cutting-edge solutions, and driving technical excellence in space-based applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary t...

Albuquerque, NMRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in engineering management, facilitating industry standards and guidance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical reports and oversee project execution while drivin...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.