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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$127K - $175K *

Manage and optimize enterprise systems by leading a skilled team to enhance core business applications, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving operational efficiency through innovati...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Advance the integration of Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Testability in hardware platforms, leading collaborative teams to optimize designs, enhance product quality, and accelerate market de...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$190K - $200K *

Lead the charge in electrical engineering excellence across multiple campuses, ensuring robust design, validation, and energization of critical infrastructure while integrating onsite generation solut...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $105K *

Transform systems engineering by delivering critical support for FAA Radar System Replacement through site surveys, testing, and technical documentation to optimize performance and ensure compliance t...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $105K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to support and enhance FAA Radar systems by conducting site surveys, technical testing, and system integration under the guidance of senior staff, ensuring compliance a...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career by leading engineering as a shared service across a global platform. Drive strategy, build teams, and shape business development while ensuring technical excellence and consisten...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$98K - $154K *

Unlock potential by providing critical support for Linux and Windows systems. Take ownership of troubleshooting, repairs, and documentation while collaborating with engineering teams to enhance operat...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$196K - $217K *

Lead the charge in building a high-performing software engineering team that delivers mission-critical internal platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to drive technical excellence...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$86K - $198K *

Elevate mission impact by designing Cloud-based software systems. Leverage your expertise in Agile methodologies and documentation to transform real-world needs into effective engineering solutions th...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Drive operational excellence by leading engineering, data, and AI teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate strategic goals into actionable plans, ensuring high-quality project delivery and te...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead the Systems Engineering life cycle, collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements and drive projects to completion in a dynamic environment. Utilize your expertise in RF systems to suppo...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $187K *

Engineer innovative security controls and assess cybersecurity measures while collaborating with a dynamic team. Ensure compliance with NSA and DoD standards, enhancing system performance and reliabil...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in sustaining engineering initiatives, ensuring product performance, compliance, and lifecycle management. Collaborate across teams to drive engineering changes and enhance operational...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with impactful engineering programs that enhance product performance and compliance. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and sustainability of existing products while mana...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$108K - $130K *

Lead cross-functional programs to enhance product performance and compliance. Drive engineering changes and lifecycle management for existing products, ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction t...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$141K - $224K *

Drive innovation as you design and deploy advanced Free-Space Optical Communications solutions, leading projects for government and military clients while mentoring engineers and engaging with diverse...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$141K - $224K *

Join a dynamic team to design, implement, and troubleshoot advanced Free-Space Optical Communications systems for government and military clients, driving innovation and technical excellence across di...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$292K - $500K+*

Accelerate growth by leading strategic partnerships with India-headquartered GSIs. Drive joint initiatives, build executive relationships, and enhance Veeam's market presence across cloud, cyber resil...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$98K - $168K *

Advance your career by leading the technical architecture and integration of innovative avionics display systems, ensuring safety and compliance throughout the full lifecycle of aerospace subsystems...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $120K *

Join our dynamic engineering team to develop innovative real-time automation solutions, leveraging advanced programming and design tools to enhance manufacturing efficiency and operational excellence...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $110K *

Optimize real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with engineering teams to design, implement, and enhance systems using diverse programming and design to...

Richmond, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $350K *

Drive innovation by leading the Sales Tech engineering team to architect and deliver scalable revenue systems. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance sales and marketing technology, ensu...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$190K - $202K *

Shape the future of enterprise architecture, providing strategic guidance to align IT with mission objectives, enhance systems, and promote stakeholder engagement in complex DoD environments...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$115K - $150K *

Drive cross-functional coordination and governance for engineering programs, enhancing visibility and resource planning. Lead execution of new product introductions and custom engineering initiatives...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.