Explore Chief Scientist Jobs

Chief Scientists guide an organization’s scientific vision, research strategy, and technical innovation. These senior leaders help turn complex research into meaningful products, services, and discoveries while advising executives on scientific opportunities and risks. Explore vetted Chief Scientist opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Chief Scientist Do?

Responsibilities vary by organization and industry, but commonly include setting research priorities, leading multidisciplinary teams, overseeing experiments and development programs, evaluating emerging technologies, and communicating findings to business and government leaders. Chief Scientists may also shape research budgets, build partnerships with universities or laboratories, and ensure that work meets ethical, regulatory, and quality standards.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek a strong record of scientific achievement, deep expertise in a relevant discipline, and experience leading research teams or complex programs. A doctoral degree is common in many fields, though requirements depend on the role. Strategic thinking, clear communication, collaboration, and the ability to connect scientific evidence with organizational goals are valuable across industries.

Industries and Career Opportunities

Chief Scientist roles are available in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing. Titles and reporting structures differ: some positions focus on fundamental research, while others lead applied science, product development, or enterprise-wide innovation.

Find Chief Scientist Roles on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review each listing’s responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details to identify roles that fit your expertise and leadership goals.

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1
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$150K - $180K *

Engage as a hands-on architect to design and implement AI solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and governance. Collaborate with teams to accelerate adoption and maintain best practi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $200K *

Lead the charge in optimizing biomarker program operations, ensuring seamless sample processing from collection to storage. Collaborate across teams to uphold quality and compliance while driving grow...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $160K *

Unlock potential by leading complex federal contract negotiations and management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance and driving strategic solutions to support business growt...

Alabama, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Oversee large-scale Federal contracts, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment. Leverage expertise in negotiation and federal regulations to enhance program execution, drive business growth, and e...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Empower strategic customers by delivering innovative video AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive implementation and enhance customer experiences in a dynamic, fast-paced envir...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing national security through innovative project management. Drive execution of multi-domain awareness initiatives while collaborating with government and industr...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading a diverse portfolio of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence. Drive efficiency, manage resources, and serve as the primary liaison between clien...

North Carolina, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $200K *

Join us in advancing precision medicine by leading strategic initiatives within high-value health systems. Drive adoption of innovative diagnostic solutions, engage with C-suite stakeholders, and ensu...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by leading incident response efforts in a dynamic IT environment. Coordinate multi-team activities to restore operations efficiently, ensuring compliance with best practices and dr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's scaling global revenue operations. As a strategic partner to the CRO, you'll drive operational excellence, manage initiatives, and influence key decisions in a fast-paced environmen...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $200K *

Champion commercial manufacturing excellence by leading technical operations, ensuring on-time delivery of drug products and APIs, and collaborating with regulatory teams to meet compliance and perfor...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$168K - $240K *

Join us to define and deploy autonomous AI agents at scale, transforming cutting-edge LLM capabilities into reliable, high-availability products while mentoring a team of engineers and setting industr...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team of technical consultants, driving operational excellence and strategic delivery for U.S. Federal clients. Collaborate across departments to ensure success...

Reston, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead and enhance cybersecurity operations, ensuring effective incident response, threat detection, and client security assurance. Collaborate cross-functionally to bridge security strategy with tactic...

Los Angeles, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$102K - $125K *

Champion client success by leading a remote service team, driving process improvements, and managing complex data solutions. Collaborate across diverse teams to ensure timely deliverables and enhance...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Contribute to innovative cloud solutions by leveraging your expertise in Azure, C#/.NET, and DevOps practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security, scalability, and performance...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform customer IT service requirements into innovative solutions that enhance loyalty and profitability. Lead technical resources in delivering high-quality financial industry solutions while ensu...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $170K *

Pioneer a high-performing sales team focused on public safety solutions. Drive strategic partnerships, enhance sales processes, and coach executives to excel in complex government sales, ensuring impa...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $188K *

Advance global cybersecurity initiatives as an operational partner to the CISO. Lead strategic planning, guide execution, and ensure alignment with organizational goals while fostering collaboration a...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving growth in the US Higher Education market through consultative sales of innovative research solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance customer relationships and achieve i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

The Security Program Manager will be responsible for securing OpenAI's critical product launches by coordinating security reviews and managing risks across cross-functional teams. This role ensures th...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$172K - $237K *

Lead the charge in driving data science initiatives, transforming complex datasets into strategic insights and scalable solutions that impact multiple business areas while fostering cross-functional c...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$174K - $220K *

Innovate your career by leading data science initiatives that transform complex data into actionable insights. Collaborate cross-functionally to build scalable analytical solutions that drive strategi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$180K - $230K *

Develop and evaluate advanced NLP models to transform unstructured data into actionable insights. Collaborate across teams, drive end-to-end solutions, and communicate effectively to bridge technical...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$128K - $178K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of destination marketing through data-driven insights and innovative product strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experiences a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Chief Scientist do?question toggle

    A Chief Scientist leads or advises an organization’s research and scientific strategy. The role may include setting priorities, managing research teams, evaluating new technologies, overseeing development programs, and communicating scientific findings to senior leaders.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Chief Scientist jobs?question toggle

    Requirements depend on the field and employer. Many positions call for advanced expertise, a strong record of research or innovation, and experience leading teams or programs. A Ph.D. is common in some scientific disciplines, while other roles may value equivalent industry experience.

  • Which industries hire Chief Scientists?question toggle

    Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.

  • How much do Chief Scientists earn?question toggle

    Compensation varies by industry, location, organization, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for available salary information.

  • How can I find Chief Scientist jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.