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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$166K - $289K *

Lead cross-organizational collaboration and drive the technical vision for the MDM Operating Unit, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while overseeing IRAD efforts and fostering quality stan...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive technical leadership in military aviation systems engineering, overseeing aircraft modifications and integrations. Lead multidisciplinary teams through the lifecycle of complex projects, ensurin...

5 days ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Elevate your career by managing engineering tasks and coordinating project activities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success while developing your skills in a dynamic envir...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Drive innovative solutions as a Systems Engineer, leveraging your expertise in enterprise environments to enhance system performance and security while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ach...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of systems engineers while driving innovative radar and sensor system projects. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure successful program execution and fos...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $165K *

Transform the future of technology at Shield by architecting robust systems. Own the design of core platforms, ensuring security and scalability while guiding integrations and migrations to meet evolv...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advancing optical system verification by integrating and validating cutting-edge DSP solutions. Collaborate across domains to define specifications, optimize performance, and drive...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead and develop a high-performing Data Center Field Engineering organization, ensuring effective delivery across diverse environments while maintaining quality, accountability, and operational excell...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive success by collaborating with R&D and Sales to create tailored solutions. Utilize your expertise in enterprise storage and architecture to guide clients, define product requirements, and enhance...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$225K - $275K *

Lead the charge in business development strategy, driving growth and client relationships while managing a high-performing team. Collaborate with executives to identify opportunities and execute initi...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $120K *

Engineer and lead a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative solutions for military systems, overseeing the entire program lifecycle from design to production while ensuring compliance with custom...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative solutions for military systems by managing a multidisciplinary team through the entire program lifecycle, ensuring compliance with customer requirements and ef...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $120K *

Drive your career forward by supporting critical PNT systems for the U.S. Space Force. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute test plans, analyze data, and ensure system performance in a d...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a dynamic team to execute systems engineering and testing for PNT systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and reliability for U.S. Space Force programs in a fast...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $181K *

Advance your career as a Senior Systems Engineer, leading system requirements and verification efforts. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring systems meet...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$151K - $217K *

Lead the establishment and scaling of a high-performing PMO, driving strategic execution and operational excellence across complex AI infrastructure projects while fostering cross-functional collabora...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $185K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative cloud-native media solutions while managing project-based teams and ensuring quality implementation and production readiness in an evolving technological lands...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$90K - $110K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing network security across diverse environments. You'll implement, maintain, and troubleshoot critical network solutions while collaborating with senior engineer...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $210K *

Drive the technical outcomes of critical programs, leading a team to deliver innovative solutions while collaborating with government and industry partners. Shape product development from concept to e...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$93K - $171K *

Lead the charge in driving innovative systems engineering solutions. Collaborate across teams to define and refine requirements while managing multi-disciplinary efforts and ensuring integration with...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K *

Optimize enterprise infrastructure by leading modernization initiatives, implementing cloud solutions, and ensuring security and efficiency across hybrid environments. Drive technical excellence and m...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $195K *

Shape the future of land development by leading complex projects from site evaluation to stabilization. Collaborate with stakeholders, manage entitlements, and ensure compliance while driving innovati...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$78K - $250K *

Transform your career by providing critical technical support for system integrations. Collaborate with diverse teams to troubleshoot, enhance, and document solutions, ensuring seamless integration of...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$159K - $226K *

Drive technical leadership in systems engineering for a next-gen software-enabled platform, influencing design, strategy, and execution across product lifecycles while collaborating with diverse teams...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$178K - $331K *

Champion innovation by leading systems engineering efforts across diverse programs, driving process improvements, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver effective solutions that meet...

3 days 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.