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.
Sr Account Director, Business Development (Biotech CDSD) -US -West Coast Region
$128K - $190K *
Shape the future of biotech by driving strategic sales and fostering key client relationships. Leverage your expertise to maximize revenue growth and enhance client satisfaction in a dynamic, fast-pac...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in Oracle E-Business Suite solutions. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer engagements and support pre-sales initiatives while collaborating with cross-fun...
1 week ago
LEAD PROJECT MANAGER - PUB SEC
$88K - $121K *
Manage logistics for a complex federal program, ensuring timely, secure delivery of assets. Lead project activities, coordinate with stakeholders, and maintain compliance while building strategic rela...
3 days ago
Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer
$170K - $270K *
Lead the charge in advancing machine learning evaluations through hands-on infrastructure and customer collaborations, shaping benchmarks for diverse models in a high-ownership role...
1 month ago
Digital Consulting Manager, Oracle EPM Technical Architect (PubSec)
$145K - $170K *
Drive agile solutions for government agencies, enhancing efficiency and service delivery. Lead projects, mentor teams, and build client relationships while delivering technology solutions aligned with...
2 weeks ago
Multi-disciplinary Project Manager
$85K - $130K *
Grow and lead complex multidisciplinary projects from initiation to completion. Collaborate with diverse teams and clients to deliver high-quality results while managing budgets, schedules, and relati...
3 weeks ago
$137K - $185K *
Lead enterprise AI engineering, driving impactful AI applications from concept to governed production. Empower teams with innovative AI solutions while ensuring quality, compliance, and operational ex...
4 weeks ago
Managing Consultant, Life Sciences Technology Consulting - Patient Services
$130K - $216K *
Join a dynamic team to lead technology consulting projects in biopharma, ensuring successful implementation of patient services solutions. Collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to drive...
2 days ago
Account Executive, Life Sciences & Medtech
$147K - $220K *
Champion transformative health solutions by managing key client relationships, driving sales, and collaborating across teams to enhance Verily's impact in Life Sciences. Leverage expertise to unlock n...
2 weeks ago
Program Evaluator - State & Local Outcomes (Human Services / BH / Justice)
$80K - $95K *
Analyze and lead evaluations for human-services and public programs, creating frameworks and performance measures. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate findings into actionable insights, ensurin...
1 week ago
Senior Program Engineer, IT Services & Cloud Operations
$120K - $150K *
Drive complex federal platform initiatives, enhancing security, compliance, and infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions and cross-functional leadership...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
AI Research Scientist 4/5 - Generative Models, Recommender Systems
$300K - $500K+*
Join a dynamic team to design and implement cutting-edge Machine Learning solutions that enhance content discovery and promotion strategies, driving member engagement and optimizing generated assets f...
2 weeks ago
Data Center Global Repairs Program Support
$320K - $405K *
Champion best-in-class hardware repairs across global data centers, ensuring efficient turnaround and quality standards. Drive scalable processes, manage vendor relationships, and analyze failure tren...
3 weeks ago
$109K - $179K *
Drive your career forward by translating complex scientific data into clear regulatory narratives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support drug development and ensure consistent messaging...
2 weeks ago
$317K - $443K *
Transform the consumer experience by leading data science strategies that integrate measurement, experimentation, and machine learning. Drive multi-team collaboration to enhance relevance and optimize...
4 weeks ago
$105K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead multiple client engagements, driving innovative solutions and strategic direction. Foster cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment with a focus on deliver...
Reposted 1 week ago
Technical Solutions Architect - Anthropic / Claude Cowork
$165K - $185K *
Lead the charge in transforming organizations through AI adoption. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement innovative solutions that enhance productivity and drive measurable o...
3 days ago
Principal Machine Learning Engineer
$187K - $253K *
Advance your career by owning enterprise AI/ML architecture, crafting end-to-end machine-learning systems, and collaborating across teams to deliver innovative AI solutions securely and effectively...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Scanning Engine
$134K - $199K *
Elevate your career as you design and operate large-scale cloud services for a cutting-edge scanning engine. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and mentor engineers in a dy...
2 weeks ago
Member of Research Staff, Causal Inference, Voleon Securities
$150K - $180K *
Explore your potential as you leverage cutting-edge methodologies in causal inference research within a dynamic finance-focused ML team, driving innovation and collaboration for impactful market predi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Cybersecurity Data Science & Analytics Lead
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading the development of data-driven cybersecurity solutions. Collaborate with experts to tackle complex security challenges, transforming analytical insights into actionable str...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Play a key role in architecting and administering the HaloPSA platform, ensuring optimal design, integration, and reporting. Collaborate across teams to enhance workflows and drive efficiency while su...
Today
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$110K - $142K *
Help us deliver cutting-edge GenAI and HPC solutions by deploying and optimizing GPU-accelerated systems. Join a dynamic team to enhance performance and support enterprise customers across the U.S. in...
Reposted 4 days ago
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$122K - $158K *
Join a dynamic team as a GenAI & HPC Delivery Engineer, driving cutting-edge GPU solutions and optimizing performance for AI and HPC infrastructures. Engage directly with customers, ensuring successfu...
Reposted 4 days ago
GenAI & High Performance Computing (HPC) Delivery Engineer
$122K - $158K *
Join us to elevate cutting-edge HPC and GenAI solutions through hands-on deployment, configuration, and optimization of GPU-accelerated systems, while collaborating with enterprise customers across th...
Reposted 4 days ago
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.