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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$130K - $155K *

Champion corporate security by leading identity governance, endpoint management, and risk assessment. Collaborate with IT and engineering teams to establish security standards, drive automation, and e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$178K - $331K *

Drive innovative satellite systems design and integration, ensuring compliance and performance. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions, transforming customer requirements into s...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Drive program success by managing objectives and guiding cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, adherence to budget, and quality standards while maintaining a focus on customer engagement a...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Lead the charge in managing complex programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, driving performance metrics, and coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve success. Shape program deliv...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Engage in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance quality, cost, and delivery for products. Lead initiatives to assess and improve machine capabilities, ensuring efficient operatio...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $190K *

Transform IT engineering by leading strategy and execution of scalable, secure solutions across infrastructure and networks. Drive cross-functional initiatives while developing a high-performing team...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $190K *

Lead the charge in shaping IT engineering strategy and execution, driving scalable, secure solutions across infrastructure and networks while fostering a high-performing team in a dynamic, global envi...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $190K *

Advance your career by leading IT engineering strategy and execution. Drive complex initiatives across infrastructure and networks while developing a high-performing team focused on reliability, secur...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $190K *

Join as a Senior Manager in IT Engineering to lead global strategies, architecture, and execution of scalable, secure solutions across infrastructure and automation, while developing a high-performing...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $135K *

Join a team that's advancing simulation-based training systems, where you'll support integration and troubleshooting in a dynamic environment, enhancing operator readiness through hands-on experience...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $238K *

Pioneer advanced GNC systems as a technical leader, driving design, analysis, and testing. Collaborate with teams to innovate spacecraft solutions while mentoring engineers and presenting findings to...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$183K - $261K *

Unlock potential by leading satellite command and control systems' architecture and integration. Guide technical direction, mentor engineers, and interface with partners on high-impact challenges in a...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Optimize complex IT infrastructure and systems engineering projects, ensuring robust performance and security compliance. Collaborate with teams to design, implement, and maintain enterprise systems s...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$137K - $240K *

Transform security engineering by leading a dynamic team to embed security across applications, networks, and AI systems. Drive strategic initiatives, ensure compliance, and partner with executives to...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $120K *

Unlock your potential as a Solutions Engineer, guiding sales teams with expert network security advice, conducting training sessions, and supporting customer needs while driving professional services...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$265K - $325K *

Shape the future of consumer products by defining systems engineering strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering innovative, high-quality appliances through effective governance and ro...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in shaping advanced software architectures that drive secure, scalable solutions across the full system lifecycle, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment with mission objectives a...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$74K - $130K *

Explore your career as a Systems Engineer, supporting modernization efforts through Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software archit...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$168K - $240K *

Join our team to apply systems engineering principles across all lifecycle phases, ensuring technical integrity and quality. Collaborate with government and program personnel to address challenges and...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $176K *

Empower a dynamic team by leading supply chain strategies, enhancing material availability, and optimizing inventory management across multiple sites to meet business goals and customer commitments in...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $280K *

Champion strategic partnerships by leading program execution and integration of AI technologies across defense systems, ensuring alignment and demand generation for mission-critical capabilities...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $217K *

Unlock your potential by leading global technology strategies that enhance distribution and logistics operations. Drive innovation, improve service quality, and foster operational excellence through A...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$91K - $137K *

Contribute to the development and testing of complex systems solutions, ensuring requirements are met through collaboration with Agile teams. Engage in functional analysis and verification to deliver...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Engineer comprehensive systems solutions by translating customer requirements into actionable designs. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance through rigorou...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Transform the future of advanced electro-optical systems by leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions on time and within budget. Drive engineering excellence while mentoring junio...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 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.