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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$110K - $130K *

Lead the selection of advanced electronics technologies, bridging design and compliance engineering to ensure high-performance product development for military applications...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$123K - $166K *

Lead the charge in systems engineering and integration for mission-critical infrastructure, enhancing secure and resilient capabilities for U.S. forces and partners in the Pacific region through colla...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$188K - $235K *

Join a team that's defining the future of data center architecture. Lead evaluations of next-generation technologies and integrate diverse engineering domains, guiding innovations from pilot to hypers...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of Naval aviation systems. Lead technical direction for high-visibility projects, mentor engineers, and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance Fleet readiness a...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$136K - $160K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise endpoint infrastructure by architecting innovative solutions, driving strategic vendor partnerships, and ensuring compliance in a dynamic, high-growth environm...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $204K *

Unlock innovation by leading software engineering efforts, focusing on design, development, and verification of complex avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product qua...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $218K *

Transform the future of aerospace engineering by leading multi-site teams, enhancing technical capabilities, and driving operational excellence to meet customer demands and improve performance across...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Lead engineering teams to develop, integrate, and optimize systems, ensuring mission success through innovative technical solutions while utilizing Agile methodologies and continuous improvement pract...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform technical leadership by guiding a team of Systems Architects to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring system coherence and mission alignment while fostering collaboration across diverse tea...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $250K *

Drive detection and response initiatives in a dynamic corporate environment, enhancing security posture through hands-on engagement with SIEM, incident management, and proactive threat hunting to safe...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Manage the product roadmap for advanced optical components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet customer needs and expand market presence while leading product development initiatives an...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring product excellence through innovative manufacturing test engineering. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement effective testing strate...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the systems engineering function for a major IT project, overseeing design, development, and integration of technical systems. Collaborate with teams to resolve complex issues and ensure successf...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Transform the Software Business Model by leading strategic initiatives, optimizing processes, and fostering innovation. Collaborate across teams to enhance customer experiences and drive operational e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Transform the Software Business Model by leading strategic initiatives, optimizing processes, and fostering innovation. Collaborate across teams to enhance customer experiences and drive operational e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in transforming business needs into actionable solutions by evaluating stakeholder requirements and bridging gaps between technical and operational capabilities. Drive informed decisio...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform the future of enterprise solutions by bridging stakeholder needs with actionable architecture. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess capabilities, identify gaps, and recommend sc...

Suitland, MDRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Accelerate innovation by leading engineering teams in cutting-edge web, mobile, and cloud solutions. Collaborate globally to deliver top-tier digital products while implementing strategic project mana...

Vaughan, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$155K - $259K *

Shape the future of manufacturing engineering by leading a large team to enhance automation, reliability, and operational performance in a regulated environment. Drive strategic initiatives and foster...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Advance global manufacturing engineering by leading strategic initiatives, capital investments, and technology transfers. Drive operational excellence and build high-performing teams to enhance effici...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Transform global manufacturing by leading engineering strategy and capital investments. Drive innovation, establish standards, and build high-performing teams to enhance operational excellence across...

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer the integration of complex systems by transforming mission needs into actionable technical solutions, bridging diverse technical teams, and ensuring seamless operational capabilities throughou...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Engage in the design, deployment, and support of Linux infrastructures, ensuring optimal performance for mission-critical applications in a collaborative environment with development and security team...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to the design, deployment, and maintenance of secure Linux infrastructures. Collaborate with developers and engineers to ensure reliable environments that support mission-critical applicati...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in systems engineering to support U.S. Air Force aircraft certification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure requirements verification and enhance test accuracy for new a...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.