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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$92K - $166K *

Shape the future of supply chain security by conducting risk assessments, translating complex data into actionable insights, and collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance the FAA's cybersecurity...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$85K - $105K *

Transform virtual resettlement services by leading a national portfolio that enhances access for refugees. Oversee strategy, implementation, and compliance while fostering partnerships and innovative...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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

$195K - $215K *

Lead the charge in brand strategy, inspiring teams and fostering innovative solutions in a dynamic healthcare advertising environment, focused on advancing compelling communications and effective clie...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$92K - $166K *

Lead the charge in optimizing global supply chain strategies, managing high-value subcontracts, and ensuring compliance in a dynamic defense environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to dri...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $140K *

Transform your career by leading cyber risk management initiatives, ensuring compliance, and enhancing security posture for critical data center and cloud services. Collaborate with teams to implement...

Texas, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate healthcare through strategic AI product management, driving innovation and lifecycle management of AI solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to align business objectives with customer needs...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in overseeing high-impact projects, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering strong customer relationships while ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivering measurab...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $125K *

Drive the deployment of healthcare technology across multiple VA facilities, coordinating projects and ensuring readiness. Collaborate with diverse teams to manage timelines, resolve issues, and deliv...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$272K - $340K *

Join a team that's driving CMC strategy and execution for innovative therapies. Lead cross-functional efforts in drug and device development, ensuring compliance and operational excellence from clinic...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$208K - $235K *

Innovate and lead the development of scalable cloud solutions, ensuring high engineering standards and strategic architecture. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead key clinical trial operations, from start-up to enrollment, ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity while collaborating closely with investigators and managing resources effectively to...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$172K - $240K *

Join a team that's redefining AI security! As a Principal AI Security Engineer, you'll lead assessments, design controls, and partner with teams to ensure safe AI adoption across the enterprise, drivi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$192K - $303K *

Empower innovation as you lead the strategy and development of core platform primitives, driving the future of agentic systems and ensuring product teams can rapidly create and deploy advanced agents...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $195K *

Innovate and lead the design of identity management solutions, ensuring security and integration across platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience and manage critical issues in a dyn...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $350K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge AI infrastructure to enhance large-scale reinforcement learning and distributed training systems, optimizing performance and efficiency across various layers and...

San Francisco, CARemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$65K - $101K *

Empower teams by supervising Tier I Knowledge Center agents, ensuring outstanding support for external users. Your leadership will drive performance, manage escalations, and improve service excellence...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $149K *

Unlock potential by leading healthcare data analytics to enhance hospital quality performance and rankings. Collaborate with teams to design dashboards, mentor analysts, and present insights to execut...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$215K - $250K *

Lead and innovate customer experience strategies, integrating technology and human support to enhance product adoption and retention, while driving revenue growth and scaling the Customer Experience o...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$176K - $204K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing quality assurance in cell therapy. You will oversee compliance activities across vendors, strengthen quality systems, and drive a culture of continuous improv...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the strategy and execution of enterprise applications and data management. Own product roadmaps, ensure system efficiency, and build a high-performing team while driving innovation through AI and...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $155K *

Shape the future of security by architecting advanced detection systems and AI-driven SecOps workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance incident response and threat detection across...

Calgary, ABRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$158K - $199K *

Unlock potential by leading global client strategies, driving growth and retention through trusted relationships and innovative solutions. Leverage your expertise to enhance client value and execute a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$144K - $184K *

Lead the strategy execution for key global clients, driving client value, retention, and new business growth while cultivating trust-based relationships with senior leaders and maximizing account pote...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$170K - $200K *

Unlock potential by spearheading scalable product solutions that transform workflow primitives into reusable components, driving efficiencies across teams and optimizing the collaboration between engi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $125K *

Elevate customer engagement by optimizing privacy program performance across a diverse portfolio. Ensure proactive intervention and support for healthcare privacy teams, driving compliance and enhanci...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.