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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1
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$116K - $194K *

Engineer cloud-based data platforms that drive AI insights for applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, scalable, and high-quality data management, leading design disc...

San Diego, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Engage in comprehensive project management by overseeing MEP operations, coordinating subcontractors, and ensuring safety and quality standards are met throughout the construction process. Drive effic...

Lexington, KYRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$174K - $291K *

Lead the charge in shaping enterprise identity and access management strategies. Drive operational excellence, oversee IAM governance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $145K *

Lead the charge in building impactful software features that enhance educators' management of English Learner programs, taking ownership from design to operation in a full-stack environment utilizing...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$114K - $190K *

Join a team that's driving the successful execution of complex Power Conversion projects, overseeing all phases from planning to closure. Ensure financial performance, quality, and customer satisfacti...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$215K - $315K *

Lead the charge in building secure, compliant infrastructure for our DaaS platform. Drive engineering excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet the needs of regulated customer...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $145K *

Unlock potential by managing the tender process across multiple contracts, ensuring compliance and efficiency. Collaborate with project teams to provide expert contract administration and negotiation...

Plainfield, NJRemote

Today

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

$125K - $140K *

Unlock your potential as a senior technical contributor, leading infrastructure design and implementation. Drive strategic decisions, mentor junior engineers, and enhance system performance in a dynam...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$195K - $307K *

Take ownership of critical technical programs, transforming strategic business objectives into actionable systems solutions while leading cross-functional teams to optimize and enhance platform perfor...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion technical sales excellence by guiding clients through the sales cycle, enhancing product adoption, and collaborating with teams to drive customer satisfaction and revenue growth in the cybers...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Drive operational excellence by designing and enhancing technology systems that elevate customer experience. Lead cross-functional initiatives, leveraging AI and automation to create scalable solution...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$184K - $356K *

Transform data processing architectures by optimizing performance and efficiency. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance user experiences and drive innovation in hardware-software co-design for cut...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$91K - $121K *

Shape the future of project management by leading enterprise initiatives, establishing standards, and ensuring effective execution of organizational priorities in a remote setting...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Champion our security posture by designing and automating detection and response systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance incident response and improve security practices, ensuring...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $175K *

Transform IT operations by establishing automated, self-service systems while ensuring ISO compliance. As a crucial partner across functions, you'll enhance security protocols, streamline workflows, a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $165K *

Optimize commissioning processes by collaborating with teams to ensure quality and adherence to standards. Drive issue resolution and continuous improvement in mission-critical environments, enhancing...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $165K *

Elevate your career by leading commissioning efforts in mission-critical environments. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure quality assurance, risk mitigation, and successful project delivery whil...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $165K *

Join us to drive excellence in commissioning processes, ensuring quality and reliability in mission-critical facilities. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance operational readiness and implement b...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $250K *

Transform client security outcomes by leveraging technical expertise and customer engagement. Drive pre-sales efforts, conduct impactful demonstrations, and build strong relationships with stakeholder...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $180K *

Drive the future of technical sales leadership by managing a team of Solutions Engineers, enhancing enterprise adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and ensuring technical wins through strategic part...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $223K *

Lead the charge in establishing and guiding an Enterprise API Office, ensuring scalable API governance and collaboration across teams to enhance capabilities and drive efficiency in API management and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$148K - $222K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Solutions Engineer, driving sales success by leveraging technical expertise to address customer needs and deliver innovative F5 solutions. Collaborate with teams to e...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$209K - $239K *

Drive complex technical initiatives and lead multi-year integration strategies to enhance platform capabilities, ensuring alignment with business objectives and fostering a culture of excellence in Te...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$88K - $95K *

Drive operational excellence by leading projects across teams, enhancing efficiency, managing stakeholders, and ensuring timely delivery. Collaborate within a dynamic environment dedicated to improvin...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$99K - $149K *

Accelerate your career as a Cybersecurity Engineer, enhancing security tools, conducting risk assessments, and collaborating with teams to fortify defenses against threats. Drive incident response and...

Wrangell, AKRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.