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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$115K - $163K *

Drive impactful performance insights by defining and managing the measurement framework for ancillary product portfolios, ensuring strategic alignment and regulatory compliance while advising leadersh...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$84K - $187K *

Unlock potential by partnering with engineering and finance teams to drive financial strategy, optimize investments, and deliver actionable insights that enhance product performance and operational ef...

Nashville, TNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Pioneer innovative technology and product strategies to drive growth and enhance client outcomes. Lead global teams in developing scalable solutions that align with market trends and business prioriti...

Troy, MIRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$160K - $200K *

Transform the future of go-to-market strategy by leading cross-functional teams, driving execution governance, and shaping long-range plans to achieve growth objectives in a dynamic, global environmen...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer our security and compliance program by leading HITRUST certification, managing audits, and enhancing controls. Collaborate with teams to ensure robust security measures while representing the...

New York City, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $125K *

Manage a team of medical writers to develop impactful scientific content, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to drive medical strategies and delivera...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $172K *

Shape global procurement governance and compliance by leading analytics, training, and process excellence initiatives. Drive transformation and data management in a collaborative environment to enhanc...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Transform order management processes by leading cross-functional teams in large-scale commerce projects. Drive system design and integration across regions, ensuring seamless order lifecycle and fulfi...

Georgia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$298K - $340K *

Join a dynamic team to lead strategic statistical programming initiatives, ensuring top-quality deliverables and compliance across diverse clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional partners t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $327K *

Unlock potential by leading security strategy and architecture, partnering with the CISO to enhance technical oversight and incident response. Drive secure practices across teams while mentoring engin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Develop and lead revenue operations to drive strategic growth, optimizing marketing, sales, and customer interactions while building a high-performing team and implementing scalable processes and tech...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of identity security by developing impactful enablement programs for pre-sales teams. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to enhance skills and drive busine...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to developing physician education programs that enhance scientific knowledge of cardiovascular therapies and ensure effective learning experiences for healthcare professio...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $165K *

Drive innovative fuel performance analysis to optimize design and support advanced fission solutions. Collaborate across teams, develop methodologies, and document findings to contribute to our clean...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $220K *

Drive security excellence by leading a dynamic team to enhance our cloud platform's security posture. Collaborate across departments to ensure compliance, resilience, and customer trust while fosterin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$192K - $213K *

Transform data into insights by building robust calibration systems for multispectral infrared imagery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality data products for environmental m...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$346K - $500K+*

Shape a secure future for research technologies. Lead in defining security for multi-cloud environments that enable high-compute research, ensuring safety in CI/CD practices and automated systems for...

Berkeley, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$201K - $352K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise AI by building scalable, LLM-enabled applications. Collaborate with customers to deliver impactful solutions, codify reusable assets, and shape the future of A...

Santa Clara, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform internal technology strategy and oversight, leading a remote team in governance, AI adoption, and service management to enhance infrastructure and employee experience while ensuring complian...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$167K - $282K *

Lead the charge in shaping global EHS3 strategy, ensuring compliance and operational excellence across diverse functions while driving transformational initiatives and enterprise governance frameworks...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$172K - $203K *

Elevate women's health outcomes by developing advanced machine learning models. Lead projects, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and commercia...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion the successful delivery of customer projects through all phases, ensuring alignment with business goals by coordinating teams and resources while managing risks and transacting key communicat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Drive new business development and revenue growth by leveraging professional networks and sales expertise to secure major client engagements and enhance executive relationships within Fortune 500 comp...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$220K - $270K *

Unlock potential by guiding application security strategies across diverse product landscapes. In this senior technical role, you'll influence architecture, mentor teams, and enhance security processe...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $213K *

Shape the future of competitive intelligence by leading win/loss analysis, market insights, and strategic positioning. Collaborate with product marketing to ensure data-driven decisions that enhance o...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information 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.