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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$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

$190K - $275K *

Champion innovation in aerospace as a technical authority, leading system architecture and integration for advanced interceptor products while ensuring mission success and technical integrity across m...

Huntsville, ALRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$132K - $165K *

Accelerate progress at multi-site data center and AI programs valued over $25M. Lead diverse teams to ensure successful delivery, budget management, and customer satisfaction while driving executive c...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate secure network solutions by engineering and supporting robust infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security technologies, ensuring reliable connectivity and comp...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$115K - $202K *

Transform the enterprise landscape by guiding technology strategies that align business goals with IT capabilities, ensuring efficient operational performance and supporting growth through best practi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing customer success through expert guidance in Privilege Access Management. Leverage your technical skills to support enterprise clients, ensuring seamless deplo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to drive integrated marketing strategies that enhance brand visibility and support business growth through innovative campaigns, digital activation, and thought leadership across m...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $210K *

Empower Federal agencies by architecting and delivering AI-assisted software solutions. Responsible for client engagement, technology integration, and ensuring that production-ready solutions meet ope...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$157K - $184K *

Empower secure software delivery by designing and maintaining robust CI/CD pipelines, enhancing cloud-native product security, and implementing best practices in software supply chain security. Collab...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$137K - $231K *

Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$151K - $195K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate global IT service delivery by leading a dynamic team, enhancing operational continuity, and driving proactive solutions across multiple markets while collaborating with cross-functional partne...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as a Mid Systems Engineer, contributing to the full lifecycle of systems engineering projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex technical challenges and ens...

Orlando, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of technology project delivery by leading a high-performing team, managing strategic initiatives, and ensuring alignment with business objectives to maximize value and drive organizat...

Indianapolis, INRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$152K - $191K *

Lead operational health initiatives by optimizing processes and driving efficiency within Engineering, Product, and Design teams. Collaborate across functions to enhance productivity and implement dat...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $143K *

Drive operational excellence as a Program Manager, enhancing EPD processes and collaboration. Leverage data insights to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support cross-functional teams in a dyn...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $190K *

Grow your career with a leadership role in cybersecurity, driving strategy and operations across AI-driven platforms. Lead a team to enhance security architecture, manage incident response, and collab...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of cloud infrastructure by automating and optimizing systems for reliability, performance, and scalability, collaborating with engineering teams to embed best practices and foster...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Shape the future of configuration management by overseeing hardware inventory, documentation, and product releases. Collaborate with teams to implement effective change management processes throughout...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on coding, cloud resources, and database support. Lead automation projects, solve unique challenges daily, and collaborate with teams to deliver practical...

CanadaRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of aerospace and defense by leading diverse programs, fostering collaboration across teams, and driving strategic growth initiatives within the Avionics and Space sectors, while e...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead and shape the Hardware Product Management team, driving strategy and execution for the Drive-Thru product portfolio. Oversee product development, market fit, and growth while mentoring a team of...

CanadaRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

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.