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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$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing datacenter operations and reliability. In this hands-on role, you'll bridge physical and cloud-native systems, ensuring optimal performance across global envi...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading engineering initiatives to enhance repair processes, ensuring quality and efficiency. Drive strategic objectives, manage resources, and foster team development to achieve o...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Lead the engineering function to enhance repair processes, ensuring quality and efficiency. Drive strategic initiatives, manage resources, and foster team development while implementing innovative sol...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to lead engineering repair process development, enhancing quality and efficiency in production. Drive strategic initiatives, manage resources, and implement innovative solutions to...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Lead a dynamic engineering team to enhance repair processes, ensuring quality and efficiency while developing policies that align with strategic objectives and industry standards. Drive innovation and...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Manage engineering processes to enhance repair and overhaul efficiency, ensuring product quality and compliance with corporate standards while leading a skilled team and driving continuous improvement...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$142K - $213K *

Pioneer innovative solutions in Model-Based Systems Engineering to drive advanced aerospace and defense projects. Lead architecture development, enhance collaboration, and tackle complex challenges in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$142K - $213K *

Unlock the potential of advanced aerospace solutions by leading Model-Based Systems Engineering efforts. Drive innovation in system architecture and collaborate across teams to deliver next-generation...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$191K - $332K *

Transform enterprise AI solutions by leading a dynamic team to drive innovation across HR, IT, and Supply Chain. Engage with C-suite executives to deliver measurable value while ensuring security and...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$191K - $332K *

Lead a dynamic team to drive enterprise AI solutions across multiple business domains, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence, and measurable value delivery while fostering talent develo...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $341K *

Shape the future of space systems by leading technical strategy and execution for electro-optical payloads. Drive innovation, mentor engineers, and manage complex projects to meet national and commerc...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of cloud hosting for maintenance management. You'll configure, automate, and support a secure environment, ensuring seamless operations and integration while coll...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$129K - $239K *

Elevate hardware design and system engineering by leading advanced processing system development. Ensure technical integrity and compliance while driving innovation through digital transformation prac...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$191K - $332K *

Transform complex SoC programs by leading design engineering efforts, driving architectural execution, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative semiconductor solutions from c...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$191K - $332K *

Join a dynamic team to lead complex SoC programs, driving architectural execution and cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative semiconductor solutions from concept to productization...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Tackle complex system engineering challenges by integrating advanced IT solutions and developing enterprise architectures. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure operational capabilities meet mission...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the design and development of complex software solutions across multiple teams. Collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure high-quality product delivery while maintaining industry stand...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$171K - $245K *

Bring your expertise to design and innovate cutting-edge hardware products, ensuring alignment with industry standards. Collaborate across teams to drive solutions from conception to production, enhan...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$171K - $245K *

Drive innovation and cross-functional collaboration in hardware design, ensuring high-quality, user-focused products while leading teams from conceptualization to production and enhancing hardware fun...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$171K - $245K *

Join us to lead innovative hardware design initiatives, shaping next-gen networking products. Leverage your expertise to define architecture, solve complex challenges, and guide cross-functional teams...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$160K - $200K *

Engineer enterprise transformation initiatives by aligning strategic priorities with actionable plans across functions. Drive sustainable change, optimize processes, and enhance organizational effecti...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in enterprise transformation initiatives, aligning strategic priorities with actionable plans across functions. Drive sustainable change, optimize processes, and enhance organizational...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Lead transformative initiatives across business functions, aligning strategies with execution to drive sustainable change and measurable outcomes. Collaborate with executives to optimize processes and...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead engineering as a shared service across a global platform, shaping strategy, standards, and team development. Drive technical excellence and business growth while integrating engineering capabilit...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Champion engineering excellence by leading a shared services model across multiple operating companies. Drive strategy, build teams, and ensure technical standards while supporting business developmen...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.