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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$123K - $160K *

Lead the charge in delivering complex technical projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams through all phases from planning to operational support, while ensuring alignment with customer requirements a...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Drive the future of platform engineering by leading a high-performing team, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring operational excellence across foundational engineering functions in a dynamic, gr...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $187K *

Lead the charge in developing and integrating advanced MILSATCOM network solutions, collaborating with government leaders and contractors to ensure mission success through innovative architecture and...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Pioneer advanced manufacturing solutions by leading a team to optimize processes and equipment. Drive global standardization while enhancing product execution in a fast-paced semiconductor environment...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$133K - $199K *

Champion a high-performing team of data engineers to drive data transformation, influence technical architecture, and ensure reliable data systems while aligning with business objectives and engineeri...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$204K - $316K *

Lead the development of global logistics technology strategy, driving modernization and integration across supply chain functions for enhanced operational excellence and business performance...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead engineering initiatives for cloud operations and enterprise systems, ensuring secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize cloud solutions a...

Chicago, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by providing critical Security Engineering support across diverse environments, ensuring the integrity and adaptability of vital infrastructure while collaborating with senior te...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $165K *

Transform the hardware lifecycle by leading system validation and deployment for advanced computing platforms, utilizing extensive collaboration across teams to enhance performance and reliability in...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead end-to-end validation and deployment of innovative Compute and Storage hardware, ensuring system performance, reliability, and effective debugging across diverse teams and components in data cent...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to lead system validation and deployment of advanced hardware in data centers. Collaborate across teams to enhance reliability, diagnose issues, and drive new platform enablement f...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of avionics by leading system architecture and design, ensuring seamless integration and compliance. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance pilot experi...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$175K - $200K *

Drive impactful communications strategies for technology clients, guiding founders and executives through critical growth moments. Collaborate across teams to craft compelling narratives that resonate...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$86K - $136K *

Transform stakeholder needs into clear system requirements and designs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success through effective interface definition and risk management. D...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$172K - $328K *

Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team to enhance manufacturing performance, drive strategic initiatives, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability. Collaborate across functions to del...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Champion innovation and operational excellence in our Room Control product line, driving growth and collaboration across building automation systems. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edg...

Surrey, BCIn-Person

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $205K *

Lead the charge in delivering client-focused mainframe solutions. Oversee diverse projects, manage teams, and leverage strategic insights to enhance hardware and software lifecycle management while fo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous defense technology by designing and developing full-stack applications that enhance deployment, monitoring, and logistics workflows for cutting-edge...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $130K *

Elevate your career by providing critical Systems Engineering support in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare projects, ensuring effective col...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development and integration of advanced hypersonic weapon systems, managing complex technical baselines and guiding risk management efforts. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensur...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Unlock your potential as you manage complex system integrations, ensuring quality and timely execution in a dynamic environment. Collaborate across teams while engaging with senior management to drive...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Drive system integration and reliability analysis to convert customer requirements into effective, maintainable systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure project success from design to disposal, add...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $163K *

Lead strategic systems engineering initiatives for hardware platforms, ensuring effective integration, verification, and validation across the full system lifecycle while adhering to customer requirem...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Advance your career by performing technical planning and system integration analyses. Collaborate on translating customer requirements into effective total systems solutions while ensuring adherence t...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Innovate with us to develop and refine advanced systems solutions that meet strategic defense needs. You'll support requirements specifications and modeling while collaborating with experts in a dynam...

Reposted 1 week 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.