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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$110K - $130K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and implementation of complex systems, ensuring reliability and scalability while aligning engineering solutions with business objectives in federal IT moderniza...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K - $220K *

Empower a dynamic team of software engineers to innovate and deliver impactful tech solutions, collaborating with cross-functional partners to enhance pediatric healthcare for children with special ne...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in driving strategic growth by managing a high-performing sales team, refining sales strategies, and fostering a culture of excellence to achieve ambitious revenue goals...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$180K - $200K *

Accelerate progress at regional Professional Services by leading teams, driving growth and quality in consulting engagements while fostering strategic partnerships and developing innovative service of...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$106K - $198K *

Lead the transformation of 1LMX product solutions across the enterprise, collaborating with stakeholders to align capabilities with business needs, manage risks, and ensure successful deployment while...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$139K - $174K *

Join our team to shape the future of our platform by designing robust APIs, improving service connectivity, and evolving legacy systems into modern architectures, all while fostering a collaborative e...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the design and development of our enterprise data platform, driving initiatives for data ingestion, storage, and transformation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data governance...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $173K *

Lead the transformation of identity lifecycle management by optimizing IAM processes, ensuring seamless integration with cloud-native solutions, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance security...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$109K - $184K *

Join a dynamic team to shape policy strategies and funding opportunities that enhance public sector technology adoption. This cross-functional role requires coalition-building skills and in-depth know...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$244K - $335K *

Optimize IT strategy and governance to drive innovation and transformation. Lead a global team, align IT initiatives with business goals, and ensure operational excellence while managing budgets and f...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in optimizing marketing operations to drive developer adoption, pipeline growth, and revenue. Oversee systems, processes, and insights while collaborating with cross-functional teams t...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $190K *

Build a resilient Site Reliability Engineering practice, leading a global team to enhance cloud platform reliability, scalability, and operational excellence while fostering collaboration and continuo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $195K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of PCIe technology, enhancing high-speed communication between hardware components. Collaborate with engineers to optimize performance and reliability in cutting-ed...

Vancouver, BCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $235K *

Grow your career with a role leading cloud security strategy across multi-cloud environments. As a key decision-maker, you will enhance enterprise security frameworks while driving innovation, complia...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $135K *

Drive exceptional service delivery by managing a global IT support team, ensuring high-quality technical guidance and client satisfaction while fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improve...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$238K - $280K *

Lead the charge in developing autonomous attack workflows for external surfaces, leveraging your expertise to enhance reconnaissance capabilities and mentor engineers while driving strategic technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $195K *

Lead the charge in shaping technical direction and mentoring teams while driving program delivery and fostering a culture of growth and collaboration in a dynamic engineering environment...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $120K *

Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$150K - $214K *

Join a team that's redefining healthcare product management through innovative supply chain solutions. Lead cross-functional initiatives and shape the future of resilience in healthcare with strategic...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$242K - $275K *

Lead and elevate the Database Platform team, driving data architecture, reliability, and team culture for scalable data solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure data integrity and operation...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $137K *

Empower customers as a Senior Technical Support Engineer, solving complex technical issues with modern tools while enhancing user experience, collaborating with engineering, and shaping innovative sup...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading materials management for a Nuclear Development project. Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and vendors to ensure effective planning and execution, driving project s...

Richland, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving high-impact commercial data center projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timelines, and budgets while fostering collaboration among...

Quanah, TXRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing high-impact commercial data center projects, ensuring alignment with client goals, timelines, and budgets while fostering collaboration among stakeholders and driving opera...

Texas, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 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.