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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$120K - $145K *

Pioneer advanced hardware solutions by leading board-level design for ruggedized systems. Collaborate across disciplines to innovate and deliver high-reliability electronic solutions for extreme envir...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and development of ruggedized, high-speed digital hardware solutions for advanced embedded systems, driving innovations that impact national security across vari...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Champion cross-functional excellence by driving strategic software portfolio initiatives, aligning teams, and ensuring accountability for measurable business outcomes...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Transform systems engineering by overseeing project teams and delivering comprehensive support across multiple technical domains, ensuring optimal performance and compliance with government standards...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Unlock potential by designing and implementing a zero-trust network security architecture that safeguards sensitive compute environments, ensuring robust access controls and security automation for ne...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role overseeing large-scale shipbuilding programs, ensuring successful execution and delivery of complex autonomous vessels while balancing production efficiency and m...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading the execution of a flagship autonomous vessel program. Drive production, manage customer relationships, and ensure mission flexibility while overseeing complex shipbuild...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Drive the execution and delivery of a large-scale autonomous vessel program, ensuring alignment of cost, schedule, and quality while managing customer relationships and cross-functional teams to meet...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in coordinating technical operations, ensuring project commitments are met while managing team workload and risks. Act as the key technical liaison, driving efficiency and quality in d...

Montreal, QCIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Join a dynamic team as a Radar Cross Section Engineer, focusing on testing, analysis, and signature-reduction for advanced aerospace systems. Leverage your expertise in RCS chamber operations and rada...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in systems engineering and cybersecurity. Lead complex technical programs, manage Agile processes, and collaborate with diverse teams to enhance defense initiativ...

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Inspire innovative electrical designs for tenant deployments in data halls, ensuring compliance with codes and optimal power distribution. Lead a team in creating efficient, strong infrastructures whi...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $251K *

Lead complex manufacturing integration projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with performance objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive capacity creation and manage proj...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$158K - $295K *

Architect a transformative AI strategy for legal research, leading a global team to innovate and implement AI-driven solutions. Drive operational excellence and empower teams to deliver high-quality...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$213K - $319K *

Drive the establishment of a high-performing engineering organization focused on hardware architecture, system integration, and customer deployment for advanced networking and AI solutions, ensuring r...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$79K - $147K *

Advance the future of strategic defense by leading developmental test planning and execution for the Fleet Ballistic Missile program. Collaborate across teams to ensure successful integration and test...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $130K *

Transform manufacturing processes by providing engineering support, driving continuous improvement, and developing innovative solutions to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs in a dynamic e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance cybersecurity measures, conduct assessments, and provide expert analysis. Collaborate on security operations, develop strategies, and ensure compliance while safeguardin...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions in embedded systems, driving end-to-end development of prototype hardware. Collaborate in a dynamic team to define architectures, design systems, and enhance technologies...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $160K *

Pioneer the end-to-end development of custom automated manufacturing tools, ensuring project alignment across teams, managing vendor relationships, and mitigating risks to meet delivery milestones and...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of cybersecurity by designing, deploying, and supporting security technologies. Collaborate with clients to enhance their security posture while aligning with busi...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform supplier strategies by leading sourcing initiatives, managing budgets, and optimizing supply chain activities to meet organizational goals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to enhance client security through hands-on engineering, deploying cutting-edge technologies, and collaborating on best practices to ensure robust cybersecurity across diverse envi...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $175K *

Drive advanced pre-silicon emulation and digital system validation for next-gen power management products, collaborating across teams to translate requirements into real-time prototypes and ensuring r...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$133K - $199K *

Lead a dynamic team of engineers to drive mission planning excellence, fostering growth and collaboration while ensuring program success and employee development in a supportive environment...

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.