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 *

Drive expertise in remote sensing and nuclear detection to analyze, evaluate, and communicate critical intelligence on nuclear proliferation. Collaborate with teams across sectors to enhance detection...

Washington, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Elevate project management excellence by delivering best practices in IT systems integration and infrastructure analysis, ensuring compliance with security standards while supporting the Department of...

Colorado, USRemote

4 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Optimize deal structuring and commercial solutions, partnering with sales to drive strategic opportunities. Manage proposals, objection handling, and internal approvals while enhancing collaboration a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

The Regional Director at ModernFi will work closely with the VP of Institution Success and the CRO to enhance client satisfaction and drive product adoption among bank and credit union clients. This r...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$228K - $342K *

Drive technical strategies and influence enterprise executives to enhance identity security. Mentor teams, shape product direction, and engage with Fortune 500 leaders to tackle complex security chall...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $175K *

Transform investment research by evaluating and integrating diverse datasets, enhancing AI-driven workflows, and driving strategic content initiatives to elevate platform value and user experience...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$200K - $220K *

Lead the design and implementation of advanced systems and workflows for GTM teams. Drive technical initiatives to optimize scalability, leverage AI, and mentor engineers, ensuring robust architectura...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$232K - $368K *

Lead the development of innovative manufacturing models, ensuring alignment between design intent and production realities. Employ AI strategies to optimize workflows and enhance product yield, drivin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Elevate information security by leading architecture and engineering for detection, cloud security, and AI risk management. Drive enterprise-wide initiatives, establish standards, and mentor teams to...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Empower the clinical support team by coordinating complex cases, mentoring junior counselors, and enhancing protocols. Your expertise will drive effective communication and quality standards in geneti...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Transform your career by owning the full sales cycle for DSOs and multi-location dental groups, driving growth through the complete Planet DDS catalog while collaborating with a dynamic team and repre...

Phoenix, AZRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative Microsoft-based platforms, driving modernization and AI integration while ensuring robust, scalable, and secure solutions in a highly regulate...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$74K - $85K *

Lead the planning and execution of diverse research projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Collaborate with stakeholders to manage timelines, deliverables, and budgets while fostering...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

Transform the landscape of biostatistics by leading project teams, ensuring compliance, and mentoring junior statisticians while delivering high-quality statistical analyses and documentation...

North Carolina, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$182K - $215K *

Transform executive engagement by building strategic advisor relationships, designing impactful experiences, and leveraging industry insights to elevate pay governance as a strategic priority for clie...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $110K *

Unlock potential by redefining data strategies to elevate product growth. As a key analytics partner, you’ll shape decision-making by leveraging insights and KPIs, contributing to high-impact initiati...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Develop and execute effective sourcing strategies to attract top technical talent in Research and Data Science, ensuring a positive candidate experience while driving organizational growth and high hi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in delivering secure, scalable IT solutions for Global Manufacturing, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance Virtual Assistant initiatives and ensure alignment with IT strategy...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team in transforming cloud and application security. Drive innovative AI-driven DevSecOps strategies while ensuring compliance and fostering collaboration acro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of higher education by leading strategic initiatives and government affairs. Collaborate across teams to drive revenue opportunities and influence policy, ensuring impactful solutions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$246K - $332K *

Drive pediatric development strategy by integrating clinical insights and regulatory commitments across multiple therapeutic areas, ensuring effective execution from candidate transition to post-marke...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading technical direction in autonomy systems. Drive ownership of advanced perception, prediction, and planning components with cross-stack influence, facilitating innovation and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$180K - $200K *

Optimize strategic capture management efforts to drive growth and enhance win rates. Lead complex proposals, collaborate with teams, and leverage market insights to secure new opportunities and re-com...

Herndon, VARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$175K - $219K *

Join a team that shapes the future of AI security by driving strategic growth, leading high-performing teams, and engaging with executives to secure enterprise AI systems and agentic technologies whil...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $256K *

Lead the technical strategy for complex global opportunities, collaborating with sales teams to develop tailored solutions. Drive technical discovery, architecture design, and customer engagement to e...

California, USRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 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.