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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$100K - $140K *

Elevate your career by driving sales growth in a dynamic role focused on nurturing existing accounts and acquiring new ones in the public sector. Flourish in an autonomous environment while shaping cl...

Michigan, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Shape the future of cybersecurity by overseeing a zero trust security framework. Drive strategic initiatives across identity, data protection, and network security, collaborating with leadership to en...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Drive customer success and system reliability by leading a high-impact, agile engineering team focused on short-term initiatives that enhance product adoption and solve complex integration challenges...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $200K *

Drive market and competitive intelligence initiatives to enhance strategic decision-making across teams. Build a high-performing function that delivers insights on customer behavior, market trends, an...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of CX AI delivery, leading complex programs to measurable outcomes. Manage a diverse portfolio, drive client engagement, and foster innovation in AI-driven solutio...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$317K - $475K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of contact center solutions. Lead a global team, engage with enterprise customers, and drive technical strategy while delivering innovative solutions that address...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $162K *

Manage vendor service contracts to enhance operational efficiency, drive financial improvements, and ensure customer satisfaction in healthcare systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues...

Chicago, ILRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$415K - $435K *

Empower your career by leading regional Enterprise sales strategies to drive business growth and expand market presence. Manage high-performing teams and build relationships with C-suite executives to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $178K *

Lead the evolution of our CMS and AI web strategy, driving product vision and execution for public sector clients. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, customer-focused solut...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Empower quality through engineering excellence and automation. Drive innovation by integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with teams to elevate software standards and preven...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in program management excellence, ensuring seamless operations and compliance across diverse teams while supporting critical Air Force contract initiatives and rapid-response readiness...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$279K - $349K *

Drive the strategy and execution of dedicated infrastructure engineering, leading a high-performing team to enhance enterprise SaaS offerings, ensure compliance, and deliver exceptional customer exper...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $135K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of healthcare technology by designing and enhancing our build and delivery infrastructure. Collaborate with architects and developers to implement best practices...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Explore the potential of AI in full-stack development while designing and delivering enterprise applications. Collaborate across teams and mentor engineers, ensuring your expertise shapes cutting-edge...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive successful public-sector construction projects by managing scope, schedule, and budget while fostering strong client relationships and ensuring quality delivery from inception to closeout...

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1 week ago

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

$100K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team to ensure seamless network connectivity for dock deployments. Collaborate with IT teams, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and enhance customer confidence through effective communi...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$142K - $197K *

Drive strategic improvements and operational efficiency in Partnerships by establishing frameworks, integrating AI solutions, and optimizing team performance, all while collaborating with cross-functi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$201K - $277K *

Champion growth by leading a team of Inside Domain Consultants, driving technical excellence and strategic initiatives to enhance customer value and revenue. Collaborate with sales to deliver innovati...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $205K *

Drive the expansion of our Data Services & Analytics practice by leading technical delivery, managing client relationships, and overseeing project execution. Empower teams to deliver innovative data i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $125K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building robust software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain high-quality applications while ensuring reliability and pe...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$150K - $170K *

Lead a dedicated team to drive client success across diverse delivery modes, ensuring effective governance and coordination. Drive business development within a portfolio, nurturing critical client re...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $192K *

Accelerate revenue growth by driving security services sales, managing the full sales lifecycle, and building strategic relationships with clients and partners to enhance market presence and deliver i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$136K - $160K *

Elevate operations through AI-driven automation to enhance incident management, streamline ticket resolution, and optimize service health with self-healing observability, all while collaborating acros...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$229K - $260K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing a robust OTA update system, ensuring seamless deployment across diverse environments while mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence in distrib...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $240K *

Drive enterprise-scale security operations by leveraging Tanium expertise, enhancing endpoint security, and leading a team to optimize incident management and automation for improved reliability and e...

Georgia, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

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.