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.
Principal/Sr Principal Systems Engineer
$108K - $163K *
Elevate your career by leading system engineering efforts, integrating software and hardware solutions, and ensuring compliance with system-level requirements in a dynamic Agile environment. Join us i...
Reposted 1 week ago
$196K - $292K *
Unlock the potential of open source by leading a global team to drive impactful contributions, enhance community engagement, and shape strategic direction across key ecosystems. Collaborate with cross...
Today
$128K - $173K *
Manage and optimize complex systems and infrastructure, ensuring high availability and security. Collaborate with teams to implement innovative solutions, enhance performance, and maintain documentati...
1 week ago
$127K - $172K *
Elevate your career as a Systems Engineer, designing and implementing critical systems. Leverage your expertise to enhance infrastructure, ensure system performance, and drive innovation while collabo...
1 week ago
$82K - $129K *
Advance your career by leading the development of electrical ground support equipment for space-based communications payloads, ensuring mission success through innovative testing and integration strat...
4 days ago
Sr. Configuration Management Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Empower progress by leading Configuration Management initiatives and engineering processes within the DoD contractor environment. Drive scalability, compliance, and product data integrity through stru...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Director Software Engineering
$159K - $273K *
Drive your career with a leadership role in transforming enterprise marketing technology through agentic AI. Lead engineering teams to enhance personalization, automation, and customer engagement at s...
1 week ago
Service Systems Engineering Assoc Director
$180K - $205K *
Champion innovative service engineering strategies for surgical robotics and medical technologies, ensuring exceptional serviceability and customer experience throughout product lifecycles while leadi...
2 weeks ago
Senior Systems & Infrastructure Engineer
$90K - $120K *
Empower your career by tackling complex infrastructure challenges across diverse client environments. Leverage your technical expertise to resolve escalations, manage migrations, and enhance system re...
2 weeks ago
Lead Engineer, Embedded System Verification
$100K - $120K *
Join a dynamic team to design and execute comprehensive test plans, ensuring the reliability of advanced optical transmission systems through innovative verification practices and automation technique...
6 days ago
Lead Engineer, Embedded System Verification
$100K - $120K *
Transform testing processes by designing comprehensive plans, validating optical systems, and implementing automation scripts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality communicat...
6 days ago
Lead Engineer, Embedded System Verification
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and execute comprehensive test plans for advanced optical transmission systems, ensuring high performance and reliability t...
6 days ago
Systems Engineer / Principal Systems Engineer
$91K - $171K *
Contribute to our digital transformation as a Systems Engineer, leveraging Model-based Engineering and Agile practices to enhance national defense capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director, Operations Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Elevate operational excellence by leading day-to-day functions and strategic initiatives. Drive production efficiency, manage P&L, and collaborate with senior leadership to achieve business goals and...
1 week ago
Principal/Senior Principal Systems Engineer
$108K - $171K *
Engineer innovative systems solutions that enhance product lines and support advanced tactical missions. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and validation of requirements, driving...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development and optimization of innovative focal plane array products by leveraging cross-functional collaboration, data analysis, and root cause investigation to enhance performance and yiel...
Reposted today
$135K - $251K *
Lead the charge in managing a high-performing engineering team, driving innovative solutions for complex defense systems while ensuring program execution and continuous improvement in a dynamic enviro...
Today
$129K - $239K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of air mobility and maritime systems. Lead design and integration efforts, ensuring product lifecycle success while collaborating with stakeholders to meet custom...
Today
$129K - $239K *
Join our team to lead technical planning and system integration efforts, ensuring effective solutions that meet customer requirements while managing a skilled workforce in a dynamic environment...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Optimize process development for infrared packaging. Engage in integration, yield maintenance, and troubleshooting. Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to enhance fabrication processes and e...
Reposted today
Engineer II, Systems Engineering
$86K - $129K *
Deliver innovative control systems for liquid cooling products, integrating engineering expertise and collaboration across teams to enhance product development and customer satisfaction in a dynamic e...
1 week ago
Sr Principal Engineer Software
$122K - $184K *
Join a team that's dedicated to transforming algorithms into high-performance software. Collaborate with experts to enhance cutting-edge LiDAR systems using C++ and CUDA, and facilitate software testi...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr Principal Engineer Software
$122K - $184K *
Deliver high-performance software solutions by translating MATLAB algorithms into GPU implementations using C++ and CUDA, working in a collaborative environment to enhance LiDAR technology and related...
3 weeks ago
$82K - $150K *
Lead engineering initiatives by designing, developing, and verifying end-to-end systems. Collaborate across teams to translate strategic product goals into actionable system specifications, ensuring c...
Reposted today
Director of Engineering, AI Transformation
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading the engineering function in AI transformation. Drive technical direction, manage a dynamic team, and ensure delivery of scalable solutions that meet business needs across t...
2 weeks 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.