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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$150K - $180K *

Partner with us to drive innovative solutions as a Principal Architect, engaging in multi-faceted pre-sales and delivery efforts. Collaborate with teams and clients to enhance customer experiences and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$149K - $198K *

Elevate your career by leading data-driven evaluation methodologies for autonomous systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure performance metrics align with safety standards, driving i...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $120K *

Lead organic growth strategies for high-value accounts, driving retention and expansion with minimal oversight. Mentor junior strategists, set measurement standards, and support sales efforts while en...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Optimize your career by leading clinical supply logistics for global studies. Oversee project management, stakeholder alignment, and operational strategies to ensure timely delivery of clinical suppli...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $210K *

Shape the future of data engineering by owning our core infrastructure and driving the technical direction of data platforms. Collaborate across teams to ensure best practices in data modeling, pipeli...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$241K - $301K *

Accelerate collaboration with DOE National Laboratories by identifying and developing quantum computing applications. Leverage deep technical knowledge to align innovative solutions with DOE’s mission...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in developing and implementing enterprise security strategies across corporate and government facilities, ensuring compliance and protection of personnel and assets while serving as th...

Springville, UTRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in transforming public sector consulting by guiding organizations through digital transformation and ERP implementations, while managing high-impact teams and fostering client relation...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock new opportunities as you drive business growth in the life sciences sector. Focus on building relationships and matching client needs with innovative solutions in commercial consulting, brand c...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in data analysis and psychometrics to drive innovative assessment solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance educational outcomes through advan...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Drive successful implementation of MiraCloud solutions, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence. Lead project management practices, oversee teams, and foster relationships to achieve t...

Indiana, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion the successful implementation of MiraCloud solutions, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence. Lead project management practices, oversee teams, and drive profitability while...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Drive transformative Salesforce solutions in higher education as a trusted advisor. Lead architecture design, align technology with institutional goals, and ensure successful delivery of Education Clo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $224K *

Empower our federal sector solutions by leading partnerships, optimizing programs, and managing P&L for growth. Collaborate on strategy to enhance healthcare services using innovative approaches and d...

Washington DC, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$300K - $309K *

Transform patient care by leading medical strategy and clinical innovation. As a vital member of the team, you'll guide product development and trial execution while engaging with key stakeholders to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$165K - $205K *

Champion technical sales for our EO satellite portfolio, focusing on international defense and intelligence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored solutions, drive customer engag...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$93K - $125K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $130K *

Create and lead pioneering research initiatives in hair biology, directing collaborations and innovative experiments to discover new targets and enhance scalp health. Drive preclinical studies and mai...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$175K - $263K *

Help us drive our Global Vulnerability Management forward by leading complex workstreams, enhancing threat exposure techniques, and collaborating across teams to ensure robust security solutions and r...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$164K - $314K *

Lead strategic initiatives to capture new business opportunities in National Security Space, leveraging technical expertise and stakeholder collaboration to drive growth and deliver innovative solutio...

Herndon, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $100K *

Shape and drive the growth of Empower's Field Sales Program by recruiting, training, and managing sales contractors in new markets, while optimizing processes and ensuring effective team workflows for...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$141K - $229K *

Empower technology leaders by leading research on public cloud strategies, architectures, and market dynamics. Drive actionable insights to enhance enterprise cloud adoption and optimize business outc...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $173K *

Join a team that's building and operating AWS infrastructure for ML models and AI tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance event-driven integrations and ensure secure, reliable produc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead and manage the lifecycle of ecosystem partnerships, driving commercial strategy and execution, while collaborating across teams to expand the ecosystem and support successful partner launches and...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $155K *

Deliver your expertise to enhance the security posture of Cloud Service Providers. Engage in comprehensive architecture reviews, compliance assessments, and technical consultations within a collaborat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.