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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$160K - $288K *

Lead multiple software development teams to innovate and deliver scalable solutions, ensuring timely project execution and budget adherence while enhancing collaboration and technical strategy across...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$160K - $288K *

Lead multiple software development teams to deliver innovative solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with partners to integrate technical roadmaps and over...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$180K - $250K *

Lead the charge in our cybersecurity operations, overseeing teams and strategies to enhance effective security monitoring and incident response while ensuring top-notch service delivery across diverse...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$209K - $313K *

Optimize technical execution and integrity for a complex multi-disciplinary program, leading cross-functional teams to deliver mission-capable solutions while ensuring alignment with business and cust...

Today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$209K - $313K *

Lead and oversee a dynamic engineering organization, driving strategic initiatives and operational excellence across multiple disciplines in vehicle and mechanical engineering, ensuring alignment with...

Today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$142K - $190K *

Contribute to enterprise-level digital solutions by leveraging your expertise in software engineering and delivery. Shape technical direction, influence cross-functional teams, and drive modernization...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Optimize supply chain strategies to enhance material availability and production readiness. Lead cross-functional teams in planning, inventory management, and compliance, driving continuous improvemen...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $160K *

Lead the charge in architecting and deploying enterprise cybersecurity platforms, ensuring high availability and seamless integration across mission-critical environments while leveraging automation a...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation in multi-discipline systems engineering, leading teams to enhance reliability and resiliency across geospatial intelligence solutions for government agencies, ensuring the highest qua...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to developing and maintaining complex software applications in a federal environment, ensuring operational excellence and innovative solutions across various systems and n...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$91K - $137K *

Drive innovation as a Systems Engineer, collaborating across teams to transform national defense capabilities through advanced engineering practices and model-based solutions, ensuring integration and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $190K *

Lead technical initiatives in aerospace and defense, driving system architecture, integration, and testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure program success and mentor engineers while...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$132K - $251K *

Elevate your career by managing a dynamic software engineering team, driving innovation in embedded software development for advanced communication systems while ensuring compliance and high-performan...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$192K - $289K *

Champion the future of defense technology by leading the architecture of complex, cloud-enabled systems. Drive innovation and ensure interoperability across diverse platforms while aligning solutions...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$192K - $289K *

Drive the architecture of complex, cloud-enabled systems, ensuring interoperability and alignment with mission needs. Lead cross-project technical alignment and guide teams in developing innovative so...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$175K - $262K *

Unlock potential by leading the architecture of innovative defense systems. As a seasoned architect, you will shape integrated system designs that enhance mission capabilities while ensuring performan...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $269K *

Drive innovation in avionics systems as you lead a dynamic engineering team, ensuring strategic defense capabilities through advanced technologies and effective project management in a collaborative e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $240K *

Empower your career by leading a dynamic team to modernize technical data for defense systems. Drive operational excellence, enhance quality controls, and manage a growing workforce to deliver high-vo...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's transforming operational readiness for cutting-edge infrastructure. Lead the development of scalable O&M models, training programs, and knowledge management to ensure seamless deplo...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in defining and integrating software systems for space operations, ensuring robust requirements management and cross-disciplinary collaboration in a dynamic, fast-paced environment...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $189K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team of Systems Engineers, supporting the full development lifecycle of advanced radar and communication systems for military applications, ensuring compliance an...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead with innovative systems engineering to enhance IT infrastructure performance, ensuring secure and efficient operations. Supervise and develop a dynamic team, driving continuous improvement and al...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $100K *

Empower the future of naval operations by ensuring accurate AutoCAD drawings for shore installations. Collaborate with experts to enhance C4I capabilities, supporting seamless communication between ta...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$154K - $260K *

Join an innovative team to lead and evolve critical Core Infrastructure. Oversee infrastructure strategy, improve operational health, and drive automation to boost performance across a globally distri...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$93K - $125K *

Join us as a Senior Test Engineer to lead the planning and execution of complex product testing, utilizing your expertise to assess performance criteria across various systems while collaborating with...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 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.