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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$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

$70K - $130K *

Join us to drive the integration and testing of advanced F-35 sensor systems. You'll plan and execute technical tests, enhance engineering processes, and collaborate with agile teams to ensure mission...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Discover innovative solutions as a Systems Engineer, Integration Lab, driving hardware integration and testing for advanced aircraft concepts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure rapid s...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Collaborate with our Flight Test Planning team to develop and manage system-level requirements, ensuring precise data collection for missile flight tests. Your expertise will bridge technical document...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$63K - $117K *

Engage in rigorous testing and validation as a Test Engineer, ensuring military solutions meet operational needs. Collaborate across disciplines, develop test plans, and present results to stakeholder...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Contribute to innovative systems engineering solutions for advanced defense systems. Collaborate on design, analysis, and verification processes to ensure effective integration and performance of crit...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Support operational excellence by providing real-time maintenance and troubleshooting for Ground and Space systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure system functionality and performance in a dynamic...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Support system integration and testing for advanced radar programs. Engage in technical planning, verification, and validation, ensuring customer requirements are met through effective collaboration a...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Lead the charge in developing security-focused system architectures, integrating security requirements into designs, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance mission-critical software...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of strategic defense by developing innovative systems engineering solutions. Collaborate across disciplines to create integrated models and ensure the success of...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $147K *

Unlock innovative solutions as a Systems Engineer, collaborating across disciplines to develop and integrate complex systems. Drive requirements documentation, modeling, and verification to support st...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $130K *

Lead the charge in systems engineering by developing requirements, analyzing architectures, and ensuring effective integration and testing of Automated Test Equipment solutions. Collaborate with teams...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$112K - $169K *

Transform global network operations by leading the engineering of SD-WAN and GCP connectivity. Drive innovation with Intent-Based Networking and network automation, ensuring robust, secure, and effici...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance device production efficiency, manage resources, and foster collaboration across teams, ensuring alignment with commercial, engineering...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading engineering projects, ensuring quality outcomes, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing scope, budget, and schedul...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$118K - $165K *

Lead a multidisciplinary team to innovate advanced systems in electronics and communications. Drive the development process from concept to delivery, ensuring alignment with customer needs while foste...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$118K - $165K *

Drive innovation as a Systems Engineer leading a multi-disciplinary team in developing advanced technologies. Your expertise will shape system design and integration solutions while mentoring junior e...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$79K - $147K *

Explore a pivotal role in mission-system integration and validation, collaborating with engineers and pilots to ensure optimal performance across various testing environments. Leverage your technical...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $203K *

Drive engineering excellence by leading a dynamic team through the transition of hardware designs to production, ensuring collaboration across various functions in a fast-paced, high-visibility enviro...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role overseeing data center construction projects. As the accountable leader, you'll manage schedules, budgets, and partner relationships, ensuring successful project...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $195K *

Champion the engineering and integration of identity solutions, leveraging DevSecOps practices to enhance security and efficiency in mission-critical environments. Collaborate across teams to implemen...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate your career by designing innovative virtualization platforms and systems for engineering research. Collaborate with researchers to create secure, high-performance lab environments, driving...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $140K *

Unlock potential by architecting and enhancing next-gen research platforms, driving automation and reliability to provide researchers with cutting-edge tools. Collaborate in a dynamic environment brid...

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Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.