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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subject Matter Expert - Remote Sensing/Nuclear Detection Activity
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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...
Reposted today
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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...
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Optimize deal structuring and commercial solutions, partnering with sales to drive strategic opportunities. Manage proposals, objection handling, and internal approvals while enhancing collaboration a...
2 weeks ago
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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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Field Chief Technology Officer - North America West
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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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Product Manager, New Content Initiatives and Analysis
$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...
Today
Principal GTM Systems Architect
$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...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Performance and Manufacturing Architect
$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...
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Senior Security Engineer and AI Security Architect - 991308 **Internal to Department Only**
$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...
1 month ago
$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...
6 days ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Director, Software Engineering - Platform Development
$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...
5 days ago
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
3 days ago
Director, Executive Engagement
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Sourcer, Quantitative Research
$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...
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Senior AI Virtual Assistant Developer
$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...
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Sr. Manager, Application and Pipeline Security
$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...
1 week ago
Director, Strategic Affairs - Higher Education
$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...
Reposted today
Executive Director, Translational Medicine & Pediatric Planning
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Director, Capture Management - EMG
$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...
Yesterday
Security Solutions Senior Director - AI Security
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Today
What does a Chief Scientist do?
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?
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?
Chief Scientists work in fields including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, government, and advanced manufacturing.
How much do Chief Scientists earn?
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?
Browse Chief Scientist listings on Ladders and review each role’s salary information, responsibilities, location, and qualifications to find opportunities suited to your background.