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 *

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

$180K - $230K *

Grow your career with a leadership role overseeing global operations, focusing on strategy development, performance management, and cross-department collaboration to drive operational excellence and i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$230K - $275K *

Lead the charge in vulnerability research and exploitation techniques, transforming real-world threats into automated solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance security measures and validate defens...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate cloud solutions by designing, deploying, and managing scalable Azure infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance while driv...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $240K *

Lead the charge in engineering excellence by mentoring talent, driving scalable solutions, and fostering collaboration across teams. Partner with stakeholders to align technical direction and deliver...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$160K - $185K *

Lead the charge in developing compelling proposals for government contracts, managing the entire proposal process from strategy to submission. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure complia...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$160K - $200K *

Optimize operational excellence and client service as a senior leader overseeing a complex Connected Solutions hub, ensuring high standards in production, technical operations, and team performance fo...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Join our team to enhance patient access and streamline operational processes, driving meaningful improvements through data analysis, project management, and collaboration across departments while fost...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $220K *

Drive security excellence by leading a dynamic team to enhance our cloud platform's security posture. Collaborate across departments to ensure compliance, resilience, and customer trust while fosterin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$141K - $212K *

Optimize customer solutions by leveraging your technical expertise in data storage. Collaborate with sales teams to tailor innovative strategies that drive revenue growth and enhance customer satisfac...

Ohio, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Elevate customer experiences by serving as a technical liaison, driving revenue growth through innovative solutions and expert support in the Precision Medicine sector. Collaborate with sales teams to...

New York, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering successful large-scale projects. Oversee all phases from planning to execution, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence while fostering strong custom...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$121K - $142K *

Elevate automation in software engineering by building AI-driven tools and systems. Collaborate with a focused team to enhance reliability and speed in package and image management, shaping the future...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $155K *

Oversee complex project delivery, ensuring alignment with client goals and financial control. Lead cross-functional teams, manage risks, and drive proactive actions for successful outcomes using estab...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 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.