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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$104K - $173K *

Optimize spacecraft structures by leading design efforts, generating detailed drawings, and collaborating with a skilled team to enhance engineering processes and support innovative projects in aerosp...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$127K - $236K *

Lead a team of system administrators to ensure secure, compliant operations across classified networks, driving continuous improvement in cybersecurity and infrastructure for mission-critical informat...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $210K *

Drive innovation by assessing and integrating emerging commercial technologies for defense and space missions. Lead technology scouting efforts, conduct rigorous evaluations, and provide actionable re...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $172K *

Drive operational excellence by leading engineering and facilities management, ensuring compliance and safety while optimizing resources to support manufacturing goals and continuous improvement initi...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$244K - $366K *

Lead the charge in revolutionary database management and migration strategies. Drive cross-functional partnerships and enhance database reliability while spearheading public cloud initiatives to maxim...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$281K - $422K *

Drive growth and resilience by leading Database Engineering & Cloud Migration teams, establishing strategies, developing talent, and ensuring operational excellence in cloud-native database platforms...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$200K - $260K *

Shape the technology strategy by leading enterprise architecture and applications. Translate business needs to architecture and governance while modernizing the portfolio. Drive collaboration across t...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$264K - $350K *

Architect end-to-end embedded software solutions for satellite systems. Lead multi-disciplinary teams, drive innovation, and ensure high reliability in mission-critical environments while managing sof...

Reposted 4 days ago

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

$202K - $253K *

Elevate your career by leading data architecture and integration initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define standards and drive complex projects, ensuring data quality and reliabil...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$186K - $267K *

Empower the future of cloud networking by driving operational excellence and automation. Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve complex issues, enhance customer solutions, and develop innovativ...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $190K *

Join a team that's transforming product operations. As an Operations Program Manager, you will bridge engineering and operations, driving complex products from concept to mass production, ensuring qua...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$178K - $262K *

Champion innovation by leading a team of engineers to enhance account provisioning features, ensuring high performance and scalability while collaborating across departments to drive project success a...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$138K - $165K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional technical support and training. Leverage your expertise in optical communications to resolve customer issues, conduct trials, and enhance product...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$203K - $366K *

Lead the charge in optimizing enterprise Time and Pay solutions, driving strategy and innovation within a high-performing software development team to enhance operational efficiency and employee exper...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$203K - $366K *

Innovate and lead a high-performing software development team to deliver scalable enterprise Time and Pay solutions. Collaborate with HR and Finance to drive strategy and enhance operational efficienc...

Cambridge, MARemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career forward by leading cybersecurity initiatives, enhancing security operations, and managing risk across cloud and infrastructure environments. Collaborate with teams to ensure robust p...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $160K *

Lead and transform client relationships while managing large-scale data and product engineering projects. Drive revenue growth, oversee multidisciplinary teams, and ensure high-quality delivery across...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$215K - $270K *

Lead the charge in building a high-performing Solutions Engineering team focused on autonomous site security. Drive technical sales, manage customer engagements, and ensure consistent quota attainment...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $185K *

Champion cybersecurity and accreditation efforts to support advanced defense missions. Provide technical guidance on governance, compliance, and secure integration, collaborating with Government and e...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your career by leading the technical direction of advanced systems. Design, implement, and validate algorithms while collaborating across teams to enhance performance and reliability in a dyna...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$190K - $285K *

Lead the charge in redefining global engineering applications and labs, driving modernization of tools and cloud migration while enhancing developer productivity and safeguarding critical IP through i...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$82K - $88K *

Help us drive innovation in systems engineering by providing hands-on support for complex integrated systems. Collaborate with technical teams to enhance performance and reliability in diverse environ...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $216K *

Innovate complex systems engineering solutions across multi-system environments, guiding teams to translate mission needs into effective technical outcomes while collaborating with stakeholders to enh...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $216K *

Empower multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative systems engineering solutions across complex environments, ensuring seamless integration and performance optimization while collaborating with sta...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $171K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and development of scalable data ecosystems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative AI solutions and ensuring data governance and qualit...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 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.