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.
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.
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.
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.
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's advancing digital engineering practices and integrating MBSE with multidisciplinary engineering efforts. Collaborate with government stakeholders to define architectures and enhance...
4 days ago
Senior Data Center Architecture Program Manager
$190K - $240K *
Shape the future of data center architecture by leading complex, multi-site programs. Drive innovation in design and operations while mentoring teams and ensuring projects meet budget and schedule goa...
2 weeks ago
$184K - $225K *
Shape high-speed digital and mixed-signal hardware development while leading a talented engineering team. Drive design excellence and oversee product line execution across multiple sites in a dynamic...
Reposted 3 days ago
Overhead Systems Integration SME
$86K - $198K *
Shape the future of national-security space systems by guiding integration and evaluation efforts. Leverage your expertise in sensor integration and systems engineering to enhance mission performance...
1 week ago
$75K - $98K *
Join us in leading a dynamic team focused on microwave power module production. Oversee daily operations, ensure quality compliance, and drive continuous improvement while collaborating with engineeri...
6 days ago
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$166K - $309K *
Transform the future of electronics architecture by leading a dynamic team, driving innovative proposals, and enhancing customer engagement while ensuring mission requirements are met through effectiv...
Today
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$148K - $275K *
Drive innovation by leading a team of electronics architects to design and develop complex systems. Collaborate on proposals and product strategies while ensuring alignment with mission requirements a...
Today
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$166K - $309K *
Drive innovation in system architecture by leading a team of architects, managing proposals, and engaging with customers to develop cutting-edge electronics solutions that meet mission requirements an...
Today
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$185K - $344K *
Elevate the Electronics Architect group by managing team dynamics, driving proposal strategies, and ensuring effective system architecture development. Lead recruitment and foster customer engagement...
Today
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$185K - $344K *
Partner with us to lead the Electronics Architect group, driving system architecture development and team management while supporting proposals and product strategies in a dynamic environment...
Today
Electronics Systems Architect Mgr - L5
$166K - $309K *
Shape the future of electronics architecture by leading a dynamic team, driving innovative proposals, and enhancing product development strategies. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver cutting-edg...
Today
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by developing advanced RF and microwave power amplifiers. Collaborate across teams to design, test, and optimize products, ensuring high-volume production viability in a dynamic envir...
Reposted yesterday
Sr. Security Engineer - Federal Customer
$120K - $145K *
Join us to design and secure next-gen infrastructure while ensuring compliance. Collaborate with a diverse team, automate security practices, and mitigate risks through innovative solutions to uphold...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Model Based Systems Engineer
$112K - $149K *
Advance your career by leading digital engineering initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders to define modeling approaches, and streamlining systems engineering processes for cutting-edge technolog...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovative microelectronics programs by leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions on time and within budget, while ensuring customer satisfaction and managing risks eff...
Today
$75K - $110K *
Unlock potential by supporting complex infrastructure for media clients. Ensure secure, scalable environments across networking, storage, and collaboration platforms while providing exceptional client...
1 week ago
Principal Systems Engineer - Chief Engineer (Onsite)
$118K - $224K *
Empower your career by leading modernization and certification efforts for military communication devices. Drive technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams and shape robust systems that enhan...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$82K - $172K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of software systems through model-based engineering. Collaborate with experts to develop, integrate, and manage complex systems in an Agile environment, ensuring...
Reposted 1 week ago
$79K - $147K *
Lead the charge in developing and maintaining system-level qualification requirements, ensuring effective communication among stakeholders and supporting qualification strategies for subsystems in a c...
1 week ago
$79K - $147K *
Engage in cutting-edge systems engineering to translate complex requirements into effective solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful qualification and integration of sub...
1 week ago
$79K - $147K *
Elevate your career by contributing to critical systems engineering projects for the U.S. Air Force. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, analyze, and document software systems, ensuring high-qu...
2 weeks ago
$75K - $142K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of Command, Control, and Communications systems. Leverage your engineering expertise to design, analyze, and enhance critical systems that ensure operational exce...
2 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Join a dynamic team as you leverage your expertise in systems integration and testing to support critical defense programs. Collaborate on software engineering tasks, enhance operational capabilities...
2 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Take ownership of systems engineering tasks, developing requirements and models while collaborating with stakeholders to deliver integrated solutions for strategic defense technologies. Support verifi...
3 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Engage with a dynamic team to develop innovative systems solutions, ensuring technical excellence and strategic defense capabilities. Collaborate across disciplines to drive requirements and verificat...
3 weeks ago
What does a Director of Systems Engineering do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.