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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$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by investigating and prioritizing vulnerabilities across enterprise systems, driving remediation, and enhancing security capabilities through automation and AI integration...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of security by engineering robust controls for endpoints and email. As a Staff Security Engineer, you'll enhance our security posture, mentor peers, and ensure compliance in a regulat...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$218K - $256K *

Lead the charge in shaping IT strategy and operations for a remote-first SaaS company. Drive service delivery, enhance employee technology experiences, and build a high-performing IT organization whil...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $150K *

Drive impactful research and project management initiatives focused on AI's labor and economic effects. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive research agenda and deliver act...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$210K - $250K *

Drive the growth of a therapeutic portfolio by leveraging medical expertise and overseeing clinical trials. Collaborate across teams to shape strategies in cell and gene therapy, ensuring innovative...

Covington, KYRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Manage and develop high-speed optical connectivity solutions, collaborating with global teams to identify business opportunities and drive product alignment. Serve as a subject matter expert, represen...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Drive the technical strategy for AI across the organization, ensuring clarity and accountability in AI investments. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to scale impactful AI initiatives, optimiz...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$224K - $356K *

Lead cross-functional teams to drive OEM technical engagements, ensuring successful product integration and deployment. Oversee NPI activities and build strong relationships with partners while managi...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $210K *

Lead the charge in advancing research for coaching practices, ensuring scientific integrity, guiding educational strategies, and mentoring future research leaders to enhance the Institute's credibilit...

Belmont, MARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$153K - $268K *

Join our team to provide expert clinical pharmacology insights, driving dose selection and study design for innovative therapies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex data into...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by guiding global regulatory strategies for innovative AI/ML healthcare solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to navigate complex regulations while balancing innovation and patien...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$151K - $251K *

Drive the planning and execution of Flight Software development programs, ensuring seamless coordination between engineering and program management for timely delivery of spacecraft software systems...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$310K - $360K *

Optimize business workflows by automating processes and enhancing efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement AI solutions that drive measurable improvements and ensure sustainabl...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $265K *

Elevate your career by transforming business workflows into efficient, automated systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement AI solutions that enhance productivity and drive measurab...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping global regulatory strategy for rare disease therapies. In this pivotal role, you'll lead submissions and agency interactions across the US, EU, UK, and Japan, driving execut...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$109K - $197K *

Unlock potential by providing end-to-end support and consultancy across multiple product suites, ensuring customer success through effective integration and proactive service enhancements in a dynamic...

Ottawa, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $195K *

Pioneer innovative technology strategies that align business vision with IT execution. Collaborate across teams to drive enterprise architecture modernization and deliver impactful solutions while men...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $209K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role that fosters innovation through collaboration. Leverage your expertise to drive impactful projects, contribute to a thriving team, and help shape industry-leading...

Cambridge, MARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$272K - $340K *

Lead the charge in shaping a global supply chain strategy that ensures seamless delivery of clinical and commercial products. Build a high-performing team and foster partnerships to meet regulatory st...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$134K - $199K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...

CanadaRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $195K *

Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Lead critical incident management for AI infrastructure, driving rapid resolution and operational resilience through effective coordination, communication, and analysis across technical teams and data...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$135K - $160K *

Lead and innovate within a high-impact engineering team, driving automation and transparency in customer assessments. Foster a culture of accountability while collaborating cross-functionally to deliv...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$134K - $192K *

Lead the design and optimization of global service systems and analytics, driving operational excellence and customer success. Collaborate across departments to implement scalable solutions that enhan...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $300K *

Transform enterprise operations by developing AI solutions tailored to customer needs. Engage directly with clients, manage the full technical lifecycle, and drive measurable improvements in AI perfor...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 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.