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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$180K - $220K *

Empower a globally distributed team to build and enhance an in-house ERP application, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and delivery while fostering a culture of collaboration, accoun...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $190K *

Shape innovative IT solutions by leading technical strategies for federal proposals. Collaborate with teams to design enterprise architectures, ensuring alignment with business goals while serving as...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Lead strategic sales initiatives to drive growth in public safety software, building relationships with key decision-makers across government agencies and K-12 districts. Excel in a dynamic environmen...

Illinois, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$145K - $193K *

Lead a dynamic team of technical experts to design and deliver innovative consulting services and educational programs, ensuring alignment with evolving product strategies and maintaining high standar...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$82K - $131K *

Elevate customer engagement by driving successful project delivery, fostering collaboration across teams, and ensuring satisfaction through proactive communication and effective management of complex...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$125K - $150K *

Pioneer the success of large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards. Lead diverse teams, manage client relationships, and drive strategic planning while overseeing...

Texas, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $165K *

Elevate project management excellence by leading complex pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, mentoring teams, and ensuring strategic alignment with client objectives while driving operational success...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform critical power systems by overseeing installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of backup generators in data centers, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and optimal uptime for mission-c...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$95K - $130K *

Manage the design and implementation of integrated physical security systems, driving innovative solutions in complex environments while fostering collaboration with clients and stakeholders for enhan...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $150K *

Lead the Remote Sensing Department, delivering strategic and operational excellence by managing resources, optimizing processes, and ensuring high-quality outcomes in collaboration with various techni...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $150K *

Transform the remote sensing landscape by leading operations, overseeing projects, and driving innovation. Shape staff development and ensure high-quality deliverables through strategic resource manag...

Orlando, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that leads the Remote Sensing Department, driving operations, technology, and quality systems to deliver innovative geospatial projects while mentoring a diverse team and ensuring successf...

West Palm Beach, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$175K - $200K *

Deliver strategic leadership in remote sensing operations, ensuring optimal project delivery and resource management while overseeing a multidisciplinary team to enhance operational performance and te...

Denver, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Transform architecture strategy in a leading healthcare organization, driving innovation and collaboration across IT infrastructure while ensuring alignment with business and regulatory standards...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$190K - $225K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional services to State and Local Government accounts. Drive strategic initiatives, enhance customer satisfaction, and support business development efforts while ma...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's driving transformative change through strategic analysis and execution. This high-visibility role collaborates with leadership to ensure progress on critical initiatives and enhance...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$143K - $196K *

Elevate healthcare delivery by leading strategic partnerships and optimizing operations within Oncology service lines. Drive performance through exceptional customer engagement and collaboration acros...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's redefining construction through innovative Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) practices. Collaborate on diverse projects, enhancing design processes and ensuring successful proje...

Haskell, TXRemote

Yesterday

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

$176K - $220K *

Lead the charge in developing high-performing partnerships and teams to drive growth in North America's aftermarket channel, collaborating across functions to enhance partner performance and customer...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$114K - $152K *

Join a team that's redefining brand identity through innovative design. Lead high-impact creative projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and elevate visual storytelling in a dynamic enviro...

Massachusetts, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $110K *

Drive business growth by identifying and qualifying federal procurement opportunities, focusing on healthcare contracts. Collaborate on capture strategies and build partnerships to enhance win probabi...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $189K *

Engineer innovative electrical designs, ensuring compliance and safety for mission-critical power and cooling products. Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate systems, manage changes, and execute...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by enhancing corporate security operations through hands-on engineering. Collaborate with teams to manage endpoints, identity access, and incident response while driving complian...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engage your expertise to lead complex HL7 integrations across healthcare systems, enhancing interoperability and data-sharing capabilities. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful implement...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team as you champion quality across the SDLC, promoting best practices in testing. Collaborate cross-functionally to build and scale automated test suites, ensuring reliability and perf...

Salt Lake City, UTRemote

3 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.