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 *

Unlock your potential as a strategic leader driving growth in cybersecurity consulting. Engage with executive stakeholders, close complex deals, and leverage a vast partner ecosystem to deliver tailor...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$240K - $260K *

Shape the future of energy systems strategy and product roadmap. Lead cross-functional teams to develop innovative energy solutions, driving competitive advantage and enabling scalable deployment acro...

Denver, CORemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Lead project teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, drive communication, and ensure customer satisfaction while mitigating risks and...

Jacksonville, FLRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$182K - $198K *

Build and lead a robust Service Management Office to enhance IT operations, ensuring effective governance, accountability, and continuous improvement across a complex 24x7 environment, while fostering...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $225K *

Lead the charge in shaping strategic program management across a diverse client portfolio. Oversee a team of professionals to ensure excellence in execution, governance, and client engagement while dr...

Boston, MARemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $150K *

Champion security excellence by driving secure SDLC practices, managing compliance, and leading incident response. Collaborate with DevOps and ensure robust risk management practices to protect vital...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $175K *

Elevate your career by leading technology integration for M&A, ensuring seamless execution from due diligence to stabilization. Drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver predictable outcomes wh...

St. Louis, MORemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$142K - $203K *

Design and optimize AI-ready networking infrastructures to support high-performance computing and data-intensive workloads. Collaborate with customers to assess, plan, and implement scalable solutions...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $172K *

Drive strategic leadership for project and resource management, ensuring timely delivery and optimal resource utilization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experience and fi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $265K *

Unlock potential by leading a transformative data engineering team focused on building robust, high-performance data platforms. Drive innovation, foster a culture of learning, and ensure impactful out...

Nashville, TNRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$108K - $156K *

Join a dynamic team as you oversee complex software deployments, ensuring governance and stakeholder engagement across multiple sites. Drive successful outcomes for strategic customers while managing...

Tucson, AZRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$161K - $299K *

Transform the future of C4I systems as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading design initiatives and managing a team to ensure alignment with customer requirements. Drive modernization efforts through...

Colorado, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$214K - $309K *

Optimize our Kubernetes platform as you lead initiatives that enhance reliability and scalability across cloud and on-premises settings. Collaborate with teams to achieve critical goals while mentorin...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of enterprise-scale cybersecurity by leading vulnerability management initiatives. Drive program strategy, enhance client relationships, and mentor teams to achieve measurable risk re...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion enterprise-scale delivery by leading vulnerability management initiatives, driving program strategy, and fostering client relationships to achieve measurable risk reduction across diverse tec...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $180K *

Transform identity governance at scale by leading the SailPoint ISC platform. Drive strategy, architecture, and compliance across global operations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to e...

Brooklyn, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $145K *

Transform mission-critical applications by designing and developing scalable solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and performance while leveraging cloud infrastruct...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion endpoint security by deploying and managing EDR solutions, collaborating with teams to enhance customer security posture, and innovating to exceed industry standards in a dynamic, remote-frie...

Salt Lake City, UTRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $162K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing biomedical service operations. Lead a skilled team of technicians, ensuring high-quality support and customer satisfaction across the Pacific Northwest while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$142K - $236K *

Drive innovation in cybersecurity by leading technical initiatives for MSSP partners and AI security solutions. Leverage your expertise to design, scale, and secure managed services while mentoring te...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $204K *

Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...

Wisconsin, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead and inspire a blended team of developers to enhance AI-driven legal automation platforms, ensuring technical excellence, delivery, and collaboration across functions while managing architecture...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$232K - $320K *

Champion the technical leadership of your district team, guiding them to deliver innovative cybersecurity solutions while fostering customer relationships and ensuring value realization from investmen...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $225K *

Lead the charge in mentoring a high-performing software development team, driving technical vision and process improvements while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering collaborati...

Texas, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$179K - $234K *

Lead the charge in developing a high-performing Solutions Engineering team, driving pre-sales strategies, optimizing processes, and collaborating across functions to enhance customer success and accel...

New York, NYRemote

Today

  •   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.