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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$90K - $110K *

Grow your career with a pivotal role in configuration management, ensuring system stability and compliance. Collaborate across teams to track changes, maintain documentation, and support deployments i...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$109K - $174K *

Advance your career by developing cutting-edge mixed-signal SoC ASICs, optimizing performance and power efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation in physical design and e...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $150K *

Innovate our Microsoft 365 environment by engineering solutions that enhance security, governance, and automation. Collaborate with teams to drive modernization initiatives and improve employee produc...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$161K - $241K *

Lead and inspire a team of engineers to develop software for advanced quantum computing systems. Balance technical contributions with management responsibilities to ensure successful project execution...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$153K - $230K *

Champion innovative engineering practices and lead diverse teams to enhance performance, drive strategic hiring, and foster collaboration across disciplines, ensuring high engagement and ethical stand...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$86K - $165K *

Engage in a pivotal role as a Senior Systems Engineer, driving innovative solutions and system integration for unique customer missions. Collaborate with cross-discipline teams to ensure compliance an...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Elevate strategic R&D initiatives while leading a diverse team across locations. Drive growth opportunities with key defense and intelligence customers by managing contracts and fostering collaboratio...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $95K *

Transform product development as a Junior Systems Engineer, collaborating across teams to design, document, and test hardware and software. Engage in all lifecycle phases, ensuring quality and meeting...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$179K - $254K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you design and integrate advanced quantum systems, ensuring optimal performance and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge technolog...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$166K - $309K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic software development team, driving program execution, and fostering innovation in a collaborative environment. Oversee project management, mentor engineers, an...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Empower your career by supporting systems engineering efforts, ensuring compliance and integrity in processes. Collaborate with leadership to drive successful program milestones and foster a high-perf...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Partner with us to lead systems engineering efforts, ensuring compliance and integrity in processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful program milestones and deliver high-qua...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $216K *

Lead critical Systems Engineering initiatives by collaborating with stakeholders, managing requirements, and supporting integration efforts in a dynamic environment. Drive project success through effe...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$66K - $106K *

Drive mission-critical systems engineering efforts, collaborating across teams to design, implement, and maintain cross-domain technologies while ensuring compliance and security in a dynamic environm...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $223K *

Empower innovation in hardware design as a technical lead, driving next-gen Hyperscaler Switch development. Collaborate across teams to define specifications, troubleshoot, and ensure seamless integra...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$169K - $253K *

Unlock your potential in systems engineering for maritime programs of national importance. Collaborate with multi-disciplined teams to develop cutting-edge oceanic systems, enhancing your skills in a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $190K *

Join us in leading the Enterprise Technology Office, where you'll drive IT strategy, governance, and performance management to deliver business value and enhance organizational effectiveness across th...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $140K *

Drive technical leadership for customer deployments, ensuring solutions meet requirements from design to delivery. Collaborate with teams to resolve issues and maintain quality throughout the project...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$211K - $298K *

Elevate your career by leading the automation strategy for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Drive innovation in material handling systems and factory automation, ensuring productivity and scalabi...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic software engineering team, driving innovation, and enhancing technology solutions while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$135K - $160K *

Contribute to leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams to enhance systems across geospatial intelligence frameworks, ensuring that requirements engineering, integration, and analysis meet critical...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing secure, scalable network infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance, reliability, and security while driving project...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $130K *

Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$198K - $300K *

Elevate aircraft design by leading the development of innovative mechanical systems, ensuring modularity and producibility for high-rate production. Drive integration and testing of critical component...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$308K - $417K *

Transform operational excellence by leading modernization and data infrastructure initiatives. Drive platform resilience and developer productivity to support scalable growth across diverse business o...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

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.