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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$94K - $118K *

Unlock potential by driving application security initiatives through innovative tooling and automation. Collaborate closely with engineering teams to safeguard cloud platforms and implement security b...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$151K - $176K *

Lead the charge in ensuring compliance and optimization for next-gen satellite communications by translating complex regulations and providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary teams, drivin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $155K *

Transform your career by designing and scaling a cutting-edge cloud-native data platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust data services and optimize data pipelines in a dynam...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in expanding and retaining key Enterprise accounts, driving revenue growth through strategic account management and team leadership. Own the commercial outcomes, ensuring multi-product...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at building executive relationships and driving growth through strategic account management, ensuring alignment with customer needs and innovative solutions across multiple busines...

Austin, TXRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $140K *

Deliver impactful project leadership in a multi-phase AI integration program, ensuring timely execution and alignment with strategic goals while fostering collaboration across technical and leadership...

Virginia, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$139K - $185K *

Lead the charge in driving growth for major enterprise accounts by aligning customer priorities with Lumen's diverse portfolio, ensuring strategic execution from acquisition to expansion while advisin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$126K - $167K *

Transform your future by leading a dynamic team of electrical engineers in our Mission Critical Department. Elevate project outcomes while driving accountability, fostering growth, and cultivating inn...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$105K - $158K *

Unlock potential by managing complex projects in digital healthcare, ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive program success and address st...

Waukesha, WIRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $172K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and deployment of a global Quality Management System, ensuring compliance and operational excellence across multiple aerospace sites while fostering collaboratio...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Elevate your career by designing and delivering innovative video solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with teams to create scalable architectures that enhance broadcast, streaming, and cloud...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$119K - $210K *

Explore your potential by leading product marketing for the public sector. Collaborate across teams, own strategic initiatives, and drive impactful messaging, ensuring our solutions meet the unique ne...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $138K *

Manage complex data center deployment projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment among stakeholders. Oversee planning, execution, and closeout while maintaining budget and risk controls in fast...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Join a pioneering team where you'll innovate software solutions for framing and structural analysis. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, set technical direction, and contribute to softwar...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$250K - $270K *

Lead the charge in enhancing the guest web ordering experience by managing a team of full-stack engineers. Drive product innovation, optimize conversion rates, and ensure engineering excellence across...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by managing technical programs across global engineering teams. Drive alignment, enhance decision-making, and leverage AI to optimize workflows while supporting senior leadership i...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Transform your career by leading diverse project teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget. Drive project success through effective planning, coordination, and communication whil...

Jacksonville, FLRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$133K - $146K *

Analyze and enhance quality processes in a dynamic environment, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement in...

Maryland, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Champion enterprise data architecture by establishing standards and a unified data catalog. Collaborate across teams to define metrics and ensure data governance, driving alignment and clarity in a ha...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $180K *

Innovate with us as you lead technical delivery for enterprise data integration and migration projects, focusing on Higher Education and Salesforce ecosystems. Drive solution architecture, manage team...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading complex engineering initiatives across Microsoft 365 collaboration services, ensuring secure, reliable solutions while mentoring engineers and enhancing platform health thr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$115K - $275K *

Manage the delivery of GPU clusters for AI workloads by coordinating teams across engineering, networking, and operations. Develop strategies, manage risks, and ensure timely, quality launches to scal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Advance innovative DSP solutions for RF communications, collaborating across teams to optimize algorithms and implement on cutting-edge platforms. Drive performance and reliability in mission-critical...

Palm Bay, FLRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead large-scale automation projects, guiding teams through all phases with a focus on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and financial management in a collaborative environment...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$220K - $240K *

Elevate your career by leading strategic customer relationships in data security. Drive enterprise-wide programs, influence executive stakeholders, and ensure value realization through effective gover...

Dallas, TXRemote

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.