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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$150K - $225K *

Engage with us to drive strategic alliances, enhance partnerships, and execute joint initiatives that foster revenue growth and market presence. Collaborate across teams to position solutions effectiv...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$175K - $251K *

Lead the charge in transforming customer experiences through innovative cloud security solutions, leveraging your expertise to craft tailored technical presentations and solutions that drive strategic...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Innovate and lead the MyGeotab workflows, ensuring usability and reliability while driving evolution and collaboration across product domains to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$138K - $184K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the evolution of MyGeotab workflows, ensuring usability and reliability while fostering collaboration across product domains. Drive innovation and enhance customer experien...

Oakville, ONRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$125K - $150K *

Lead and optimize a high-performing Program Management team to drive strategic initiatives. Collaborate extensively across departments to ensure successful execution of complex, multi-disciplinary pro...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$105K - $125K *

Join a team that's dedicated to leading impactful projects in a dynamic environment. As a Project Manager, you'll coordinate efforts across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment and delivering h...

Washington DC, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$111K - $206K *

Join a team that's driving mission success through innovative program planning. Collaborate across functions to develop and maintain schedules, ensuring on-time, in-budget delivery of complex projects...

Fort Worth, TXRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive business growth by leading end-to-end capture efforts in cybersecurity and intelligence sectors. Engage customers, shape strategies, and close deals while owning the full lifecycle of opportunit...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $100K *

Partner with us to lead and mentor a team in delivering utility software implementations, ensuring projects meet client needs and are completed on time and within budget while fostering a culture of c...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Transform the Customer Success landscape by leading a new NORAM scaled team, defining strategies for global customer engagement, and ensuring personalized experiences at scale across diverse segments...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$141K - $212K *

Elevate customer experiences by providing tailored technical solutions in data storage. Collaborate with sales teams to drive innovation and revenue growth while showcasing the value of cutting-edge p...

Wisconsin, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $135K *

Support the growth of health plan accounts by fostering client relationships, analyzing data, and driving retention in a fast-paced, independent role. Leverage strong communication and analytical skil...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in building and scaling commercial strategies for AI solutions, fostering partnerships, and driving revenue growth through innovative GTM plans and relationship management in a dynamic...

Atlanta, GARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Drive enterprise-wide compliance projects to secure sustainability certifications. Lead cross-functional teams, manage schedules, and ensure audit readiness in mission-critical environments, deliverin...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform customer experiences by designing and optimizing global processes, utilizing data-driven insights and visual storytelling to align stakeholders and enhance post-sales interactions across div...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $180K *

Empower innovation by leading the data and ML strategy, driving product outcomes through analytics and machine learning, and building a high-impact team in a growth-oriented tech environment...

Ventura, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$76K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by leading cost estimating efforts for complex aerospace systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop accurate estimates and support both commercial and government...

Palo Alto, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$246K - $332K *

Transform the future of field operations by leading strategic initiatives that enhance commercial effectiveness and drive measurable impact across customer-facing teams. Collaborate with cross-functio...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Transform customer experiences by leading technical sales and support initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful deployments and enhance customer adoption of innovative r...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Engage with sales teams to identify prospects and demonstrate solutions that enhance organizational security. Educate clients on challenges and drive meetings to provide tailored solutions, ensuring e...

St. Louis, MORemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Deliver innovative engineering solutions across a luxury property portfolio, ensuring optimal maintenance, compliance, and operational excellence. Lead teams, manage vendor relationships, and drive ca...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of customer experience by leading AI-driven delivery initiatives. Manage a diverse portfolio, ensuring measurable outcomes while guiding teams through complex transformations and fost...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$162K - $244K *

Elevate your career by leading an AI-driven digital marketing strategy that transforms pipeline generation and revenue growth. Drive innovation, optimize performance, and mentor a high-performing team...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$203K - $304K *

Champion innovative operational strategies in clinical research, driving excellence in bid defense meetings and proposal development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance study execution...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Healthcare

$300K - $325K *

Shape the future of customer solutions by leading cross-functional teams to enhance service delivery, drive revenue growth, and optimize customer value in a dynamic B2B SaaS environment...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks 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.