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.
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.
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.
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.
Technical Director Systems Engineering
$135K - $160K *
Drive technical leadership in product development for advanced EO/IR systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, oversee design, and ensure successful integration and test...
1 week ago
Sr Manager, Systems Engineering
$177K - $280K *
Drive integration excellence as a Lead Systems Engineer, overseeing cloud, network, and security subsystems. Lead hands-on engineering efforts, mentor teams, and ensure compliance while shaping techni...
1 week ago
Director Systems Engineering 1
$193K - $321K *
Lead and innovate within a dynamic engineering organization, overseeing a diverse team to deliver advanced solutions for naval systems. Drive strategy, enhance processes, and ensure technical excellen...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director Systems Engineering 1
$193K - $321K *
Lead and inspire a diverse engineering team across multiple sites, driving innovation and excellence in naval systems development. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful project execution...
Reposted 1 week ago
Manager, Systems Engineering (Cleared)
$148K - $223K *
Transform build operations in secure environments by leading automation efforts, driving compliance, and enhancing processes. Serve as a vital link between technical teams, ensuring operational excell...
Reposted 6 days ago
Director, Features System Engineering
$220K - $290K *
Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...
1 week ago
Director, Features System Engineering
$220K - $290K *
Empower innovation by leading systems engineering for autonomous aviation. Drive strategy, manage cross-functional teams, and ensure safety and performance in developing cutting-edge technologies for...
1 week ago
$177K - $266K *
Drive success as you lead a remote team of Systems Engineers to enhance technical sales and partner engagement across the Southwest Mountain region, ensuring strong product adoption in a rapidly evolv...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Director Systems Engineering 2 - I&S BU Chief Engineer/ Mission 1 SE&I IPT Lead
$266K - $399K *
Drive technical excellence as you lead multidisciplinary teams in systems engineering, ensuring mission success and integrity across complex programs while shaping long-term strategies and fostering c...
4 days ago
Systems Director - Systems Engineering & Integration
$168K - $252K *
Take ownership of system architecture and integration for a critical space program. Lead a talented team, manage complex requirements, and ensure mission success under tight timelines while shaping th...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion advanced IT support and systems administration, guiding teams to resolve complex issues while enhancing client environments. Collaborate on infrastructure and cloud initiatives, ensuring top...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Drive your career with a leadership role overseeing prototyping and solution support. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical proposals with customer needs, manage project execution...
2 weeks ago
$165K - $175K *
Advance mission integration through innovative systems engineering and architecture design, ensuring robust capability delivery for diverse operational needs in a dynamic defense environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of power electronics systems. Lead technical authority and design efforts, ensuring compliance with customer specifications while managing risks and guiding multi...
1 week ago
Director, System Engineering, Integration and Test (SEIT)
$200K - $260K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in space technology as a leader in Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test. Oversee a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the successful execution of strategic ob...
1 week ago
Director, System Engineering, Integration and Test (SEIT)
$200K - $260K *
Join a team that's redefining satellite ground systems by leading a multidisciplinary engineering group. Drive innovation, manage priorities, and ensure mission success through strategic partnerships...
1 week ago
$85K - $102K *
Elevate your career by providing hands-on IT support and systems administration in a dynamic, client-facing role. Collaborate with technical teams to enhance user experiences and maintain robust clien...
3 weeks ago
Senior Manager Systems Engineering
$140K - $160K *
Transform systems engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team, enhancing best practices, and ensuring effective resource management throughout project lifecycles in a dynamic environmen...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Principal Systems Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of engineering projects, leading system design, implementation, and problem resolution initiatives. Bring your expertise to mentoring engineers while ensuring cust...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for a major platform program, ensuring rigorous management of architecture, requirements, and verification from concep...
2 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering
$160K - $200K *
Elevate engineering outcomes by leading global software teams in semiconductor integration and testing, ensuring robust solutions through hands-on development and strategic alignment with product mana...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing infrastructure solutions while managing a talented team. Drive innovation in cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring alignment with business goals and...
6 days ago
$124K - $238K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of spacecraft systems engineering. Leverage your expertise to lead cross-functional teams in developing complex spacecraft designs, ensuring compliance, and drivi...
2 weeks ago
$143K - $238K *
Accelerate progress at the system level by leading cross-functional teams in spacecraft design, requirements management, and fault analysis. Drive integration, verification, and validation activities...
2 weeks ago
$220K - $260K *
Lead the charge in shaping technical strategies for AI solutions, engaging with customers and internal teams to drive innovative software architectures and cloud solutions across the Intelligence Comm...
5 days ago
What does a Director of Systems Engineering do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.