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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$235K - $329K *

Lead clinical pharmacology initiatives, overseeing drug development across infectious disease and oncology programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive strategic advancements and ensure...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $200K *

Elevate your career by driving growth strategies within federal agencies, focusing on enhancing public services through innovative digital solutions. Leverage your expertise to build relationships and...

Washington, DCRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Unlock strategic benefits solutions by designing impactful health and welfare programs across the Americas, driving cost efficiency and associate experience, while influencing key stakeholders and uti...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$118K - $197K *

Lead and develop project quality engineers, ensuring quality deliverables meet standards and customer specifications across various high-voltage projects, while managing inspections, audits, and conti...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Support project management by coordinating study documentation, mentoring team members, and ensuring compliance. Leverage expertise in clinical research to enhance study start-up and execution, while...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$104K - $155K *

Lead the charge in customer-focused project management, ensuring effective delivery of technical solutions while coordinating with diverse stakeholders and fostering strong relationships for successfu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Ensure data integrity and compliance in clinical trials. Manage EDC development, oversee data cleaning, and liaise with vendors. Lead data management from initiation to close-out while optimizing data...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by driving strategic partnerships with top utilities. In this senior role, you'll lead complex enterprise sales, build trusted relationships, and shape innovative solutions, all wh...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$228K - $423K *

Lead the charge in advancing national cybersecurity initiatives, overseeing program execution and stakeholder engagement. Drive strategic objectives into actionable plans while ensuring technical perf...

Colorado Springs, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $220K *

Unlock potential by leading airworthiness and certification efforts for complex aerospace programs. Collaborate with regulatory authorities, mentor engineers, and drive compliance activities across mi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Transform security incident response by joining our dedicated team. You'll analyze threats, respond to alerts, and develop innovative solutions to enhance our security posture, all while mentoring jun...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $180K *

Lead the charge in driving agile execution across product and engineering teams, managing digital product launches and enhancing client value through innovative solutions. Collaborate cross-functional...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of technology project delivery by leading a high-performing team, managing strategic initiatives, and ensuring alignment with business objectives to maximize value and drive organizat...

Indianapolis, INRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$147K - $217K *

Lead transformative analytics initiatives in life sciences, driving innovation and client success. Mentor teams, enhance measurement standards, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver actionable...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Drive your career with impactful identity and access management solutions. Collaborate with teams and clients to enhance security and efficiency through innovative technology implementations and opera...

Tampa, FLRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$76K - $199K *

Join a team that's advancing neuroscience by driving sales and building relationships with healthcare providers. Engage customers through innovative strategies, leveraging your expertise to promote br...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the quality assurance efforts for commissioning, qualification, and validation across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring compliance with cGMP standards while collaborating with cross-function...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the end-to-end delivery of enterprise SaaS implementations, managing budgets, timelines, and stakeholder relationships to ensure successful project outcomes and high client satisfaction...

Charlotte, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $184K *

Empower sales growth by driving strategic account management and territory development in the biopharmaceutical sector, fostering relationships and delivering innovative solutions to enhance client su...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by leading enterprise solutions engineering, partnering with sales and customers to drive product adoption in a dynamic pre-sales environment. Leverage your expertise to influenc...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by transforming spatial AI research into practical solutions that enhance user experiences for homebuyers and builders, driving innovation in generative floor plan capabilities within...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$118K - $204K *

Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...

Wisconsin, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to manage public sector contracts, ensuring compliance and supporting sales growth through effective reporting and collaboration with various departments...

New Mexico, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Software Developer, driving the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI platforms. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhan...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Unlock potential by managing pharmaceutical programs, ensuring smooth operations, client relationships, and strategic execution while overseeing performance metrics and enhancing team collaboration...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.