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.
Director of Business Systems Product Management
$220K - $310K *
Champion the evolution of enterprise business systems, leading a dynamic team to enhance partner and employee experiences across critical functions. Drive product strategy and ensure seamless integrat...
3 weeks ago
Director / Senior Director, Program Management
$210K - $280K *
Drive your career with strategic leadership in cell therapy program management, overseeing complex R&D initiatives and cross-functional collaboration to achieve key milestones in autoimmune indication...
3 weeks ago
Senior Systems Security Engineer
$108K - $130K *
Champion advanced systems security engineering to enhance USAF weapon systems, ensuring robust cybersecurity and resilience throughout the acquisition life cycle while collaborating with diverse teams...
3 weeks ago
Senior Automation Systems Engineer, Delivery, NA
$110K - $130K *
Transform data center operations by overseeing the technical delivery and integration of advanced automation systems, ensuring cybersecurity and operational integrity while collaborating with diverse...
3 weeks ago
$97K - $146K *
Champion the design and management of cloud network infrastructure, ensuring the availability and functionality of applications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive secure, reliabl...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Empower your career by leading a dynamic software engineering team. Drive project success, streamline processes, and support sales initiatives while staying ahead of industry trends in Building Automa...
5 days ago
$170K - $220K *
Drive the future of medical robotics by framing solutions to complex design challenges, integrating systems, and collaborating across teams to enhance surgical technology and improve clinical outcomes...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Staff CORE Systems Engineer
$184K - $276K *
Lead transformative systems engineering efforts, driving cross-discipline integration and innovation for air and sea platforms. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure compliance and deliver cutting...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Lead strategic program initiatives, coordinating efforts across multiple stakeholders while ensuring successful execution of Navy modernization objectives through planning, direction, and resource all...
4 weeks ago
$130K - $260K *
Build and manage Cisco SANs, configure settings, and ensure optimal operations. Collaborate with teams to enhance storage systems in VMware environments while addressing security protocols and mainten...
Reposted 1 week ago
$130K - $260K *
Lead the design and maintenance of secure systems in diverse environments, ensuring they meet enterprise-scale requirements while driving automation and compliance. Collaborate on strategic A&A activi...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Assembly, Integration, & Test Director
$180K - $325K *
Transform missile assembly operations by leading strategic initiatives, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across multiple p...
5 days ago
Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – I&T
$108K - $203K *
Take ownership of advanced systems integration and testing, leading efforts in developing and verifying cutting-edge technologies for defense applications. Collaborate across teams to ensure successfu...
Today
$230K - $290K *
Lead the strategy and architecture for physical AI and robotics, driving innovation in autonomous operations and systems integration across enterprise environments. Oversee multidisciplinary teams to...
6 days ago
Information Systems Security Manager
$104K - $194K *
Elevate your career by overseeing information system security operations, ensuring compliance, and maintaining system integrity. Collaborate with teams to implement security policies and conduct audit...
1 week ago
Director, Systems Field Service
$183K - $240K *
Join us to lead a global field service organization, driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction while managing a diverse team across multiple regions to enhance service delivery and supp...
Today
Director, Software Engineering (Conference Tech Platform)
$128K - $189K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading cross-regional teams to deliver innovative platform integrations, ensuring high-quality, scalable solutions that align with strategic business goals in a dynami...
3 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering (Conference Tech Platform)
$128K - $189K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading cross-regional teams to deliver innovative platform integrations, ensuring high-quality, scalable solutions that align with strategic business goals in a dynami...
3 weeks ago
Health System Director, Clinical Engineering
$152K - $262K *
Lead the charge in strategic and operational excellence for Clinical Engineering across multiple campuses, ensuring compliance, safety, and quality in medical equipment management while fostering a cu...
1 week ago
Software Systems Engineer (Lead)
$120K - $145K *
Optimize complex software systems by providing senior technical leadership in engineering, development, and integration. Collaborate on architecture and automation solutions using low-code/no-code pla...
2 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering
$308K - $417K *
Join a team that's redefining data infrastructure by leading engineering efforts to enhance accessibility, reliability, and scalability. Drive transformation and build a world-class team to support AI...
2 weeks ago
System Engineer, AMER Controls Systems Engineering
$104K - $160K *
Drive innovation by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance AWS infrastructure. You'll solve complex challenges, ensuring optimal performance and reliability while promoting an inclusive...
Reposted 1 week ago
$153K - $230K *
Drive technical excellence and team leadership in software engineering, overseeing project delivery and fostering employee development while contributing to algorithm design and software lifecycle man...
1 week ago
$161K - $241K *
Lead the charge in managing a dynamic Systems Engineering team, overseeing technical project execution and functional leadership while fostering a culture of inclusion and high performance across mult...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage the end-to-end delivery of network deployment projects across multiple sites, ensuring timely execution and coordination among field teams, vendors, and engineering functions in a fast-paced en...
Today
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.