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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$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

Markham, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   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.