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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$325K - $370K *

Join a dynamic team to lead GPU and data center infrastructure, driving operational excellence and automation. Shape the future of our neocloud platform by enhancing fleet reliability and scaling oper...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $190K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of information security by leading IT architecture and cybersecurity initiatives. Oversee the security program, manage technology risk, and ensure secure access for teams and clients...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $203K *

Lead the charge in engineering execution across the program lifecycle, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive program success and deliver...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of EOIS technology by managing innovative projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements while fostering collaboration across teams to drive program success and explore new...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$93K - $125K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$153K - $230K *

Empower a team of SEIT engineers, balancing management duties with program support. Drive technical excellence and innovation in systems engineering practices, ensuring adherence to quality standards...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $215K *

Join our team as a Systems Engineer to drive systems development across the INCOSE lifecycle, providing essential programmatic support for high-profile customer programs and collaborating with stakeho...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$107K - $130K *

Elevate your career by partnering with us to drive systems engineering excellence, supporting critical defense initiatives through analysis, collaboration, and innovative solutions across multi-discip...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Innovate the future of aircraft systems engineering by developing designs, technical documentation, and compliance strategies. Collaborate with teams to ensure system performance and certification to...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $183K *

Shape the future of program management by leading a high-impact PMO. Drive governance and excellence in program planning and execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$148K - $164K *

Transform the future of aircraft survivability by leading systems engineering efforts for advanced missile defense systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance safety and operational ef...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$106K - $198K *

Lead the charge in developing mission-critical Command & Control solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and create innovative architectures that meet diverse...

Colorado, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $150K *

Lead the charge in complex IT infrastructure projects, from planning to execution. Drive Microsoft 365 migrations, enhance security, and provide advanced troubleshooting support while collaborating wi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $180K *

Drive impactful investigations by applying your expertise in human factors and safety consulting. Engage with diverse industries, utilizing your skills to enhance safety standards, conduct thorough re...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$146K - $234K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team in systems engineering, overseeing operations, and driving performance excellence across multiple domains while ensuring customer satisfaction and strateg...

6 days ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $234K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of engineers, overseeing systems integration and operational excellence while driving performance and strategic objectives in a fast-paced environment...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$121K - $164K *

Champion a team of analysts to enhance enterprise infrastructure services, ensuring reliable support and operational excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align priorities and drive c...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$395K - $414K *

Empower team success by leading FIN Engineering to ensure accurate, reliable, and secure payment processes. Drive a high-performance culture while overseeing multi-year engineering roadmaps and techni...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $190K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of mission-critical applications by building and maintaining robust systems integration solutions. Leverage your expertise to enhance performance and ensure compl...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Manage complex automation programs, leading cross-functional teams and customer relationships while ensuring successful execution of high-value projects and strategic alignment across portfolios...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$230K - $343K *

Join a team that's redefining HPC systems engineering by leading strategy, execution, and organisational effectiveness. You’ll shape the direction of platform capabilities and drive team performance t...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $343K *

Join a team that's transforming HPC systems engineering by driving strategy, execution, and organizational effectiveness. Lead technical and operational teams to create scalable HPC platform capabilit...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $343K *

Lead the charge in HPC Systems Engineering, driving strategy and operational excellence across teams to deliver robust, scalable platforms. Shape high-performing organizations while balancing executio...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$116K - $128K *

Champion operational excellence in data center engineering, leading a team to ensure reliability and performance across critical systems, while driving maintenance initiatives and compliance with safe...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

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

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.