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Director Of Systems Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in all aspects of the systems engineering process, will have direct and significant experience designing and testing complex systems, and will ...

The Director of Engineering ensures engineering activities align with business objectives ... Systems engineering * Manufacturing engineering * Product lifecycle management (PLM) * CAD and ...

Director of Engineering

Syracuse, NY ยท On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

This enables continued investment in system modernization, innovative energy technologies, and ... Director of Engineering will be a key member of the Syracuse Management/Operations team and a ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Of Systems Engineering information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director of systems engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of systems engineering in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of systems engineering?

A Director Of Systems Engineering requires deep expertise in systems architecture, project management, and leadership, typically backed by a degree in engineering or a related field and significant industry experience. Familiarity with systems integration tools, cloud platforms, and certifications such as PMP or ITIL are often expected. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and team-building skills help drive cross-functional collaboration and innovation. These competencies ensure the effective delivery of complex technical solutions and align engineering efforts with organizational goals.

How does a director of systems engineering typically collaborate with other departments to ensure successful project delivery?

A Director of Systems Engineering often works closely with departments such as product management, software engineering, and operations to align technical solutions with business goals. They facilitate cross-functional meetings, translate complex system requirements into actionable tasks, and ensure that all teams are informed about project timelines and milestones. This role requires strong communication and leadership skills to resolve potential conflicts, balance resources, and drive project success across multiple teams.

What is the difference between Director Of Systems Engineering vs Systems Engineer?

AspectDirector Of Systems EngineeringSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Systems or related fields; often with management certificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams, strategic planning, and project managementTechnical role focused on designing, implementing, and maintaining systems
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large tech, aerospace, and engineering firms for senior technical leadershipCommon in IT, software, and engineering companies for technical execution

The main difference is that the Director Of Systems Engineering leads teams and sets strategic goals, while a Systems Engineer focuses on technical system development and implementation. The director has broader responsibilities, including project oversight and coordination, whereas the systems engineer is more hands-on with technical tasks.

What cities are hiring for Director Of Systems Engineering jobs?

Cities with the most Director Of Systems Engineering job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Systems Engineering jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Of Systems Engineering jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Systems Engineering jobs?

For Director Of Systems Engineering jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Director Of Systems Engineering job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.

Director of Engineering & Technology

Aurora, IL โ€ข On-site

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturingย โ€ขย 501 - 1,000 employees

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI's key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!
Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)
  • Competitive Salary
  • Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
  • Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
  • Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
  • Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
  • 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
  • Hybrid working environment

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) seeks an experienced Director of Engineering to support our helmet-mounted displays, inertial tracking & cueing technologies in Aurora, IL. The Director will oversee teams such as: Systems, Embedded Software, Electrical, Mechanical and Field Service. The ideal candidate will need to possess extensive knowledge of head and helmet-mounted display systems. This position reports into the Vice President of Engineering.
Responsibilities
  • Technical and administrative leadership of a multi-disciplined engineering department consisting of systems engineering, software engineering, electrical hardware engineering, and mechanical engineering product development groups.
  • Establish and/or maintaining processes, tools, and techniques for the engineering department in accordance with TDSI practices.
  • Interface with project leads and engineering management in resolving product development issues, coordinating resources, and managing design activities.
  • Work with department staff to develop and achieve strategic plan objectives. - Participate and/or support product development reviews, project planning, proposal and bid generation, and product requirements generation.
  • Actively promote and develop actions for continuous improvement in the department in the areas of people, process, tools and product technology to ensure overall product development is competitive as compared to industry best practices.
  • Ensure engineering projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet technical performance requirements.
  • Responsible for overall department strategic direction and ensuring assigned corporate strategic objectives are met.
  • Perform as an integral member of the management team by interacting on a regular basis with inter/intra-company disciplines including business development, contracts, program management, manufacturing and customer service.

Supervisor Responsibilities
This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's operating policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities can include interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; creating effective staff plans - assigning and directing work in a matrix organization; performance appraisals, rewarding and management of employee discipline when required; and addressing complaints and resolving conflicts. Active mentoring and development of staff is a critical element of the supervisory responsibilities to create a highly performing cohesive team.
Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related technical degree. Advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in an engineering leadership position (technical project management and/or functional management) involved with product development in the military aerospace business. Previous experience in hands on engineering position required.
  • Experience with military avionics systems (fixed wing and rotorcraft) highly preferred.
  • Proven ability to manage cross-functional engineering managers and development teams in a matrix organization.
  • Experience with AS9100D process implementation and adherence.
  • Must have working knowledge of relevant industry standards (DO-254, DO-160, DO-178 B/C, MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810, DAL etc.).
  • Experience with agile methodology for software and hardware development.
  • Ability to work in a team environment and interact with employees in all departments and functions.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
  • Ability to travel up to 20%
  • Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values.

The annualized pay range for this role is $179,808.00 - $229,755.00 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 15%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact talent acquisition at careers@thalesdsi.com.
Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.
If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 240-864-7000.
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