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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$169K - $304K *

Drive innovative IAM architecture solutions, collaborating globally to enhance cloud asset control and ensure operational excellence through strategic design and cross-functional teamwork...

Cambridge, MARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $286K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role leveraging data science to drive strategic business decisions. Collaborate across teams, mentor peers, and implement advanced analytics solutions that enhance oper...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

3 days ago

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

$143K - $286K *

Elevate your career by leveraging advanced analytics to solve complex business challenges. Collaborate across teams to drive strategic decisions, develop predictive models, and enhance customer experi...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

1 week ago

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

$87K - $135K *

Unlock potential by leading the Knowledge Management program for a major IT support initiative, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and improving self-service capabilities to enhance user experie...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $235K *

Drive growth by leveraging your consultative sales expertise to engage higher education leaders, aligning their needs with innovative research solutions while managing client relationships and achievi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $125K *

Elevate product strategy and delivery by leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs and mission-critical outcomes in a fully remote environment...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the development and optimization of Large Language Models and Mixture of Experts. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance AI capabilities while mentoring junior engineers to drive innovation an...

Austin, TXRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $200K *

Champion large-scale enterprise application initiatives, leading Agile teams to drive digital transformation, manage program execution, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives while fostering c...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing complex IT projects for Federal Government, driving performance and organizational change. Leverage your experience in training and communications to support multiple proje...

Washington, DCRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in managing a dynamic team of finance and business ops professionals, ensuring efficient program and travel management, financial operations, and superior executive support for the Dep...

Washington, DCRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform data into impactful strategies by developing analytical solutions. Drive decision-making through advanced BI reports, automate processes, and ensure data integrity, all while enhancing busin...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $200K *

Transform your career by leading a dynamic Strategy & Analytics practice. Drive innovation, enhance advisor engagement, and develop a talented team while delivering high-level client solutions in a ha...

Dallas, TXRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $150K *

Champion enterprise IT solutions by collaborating with customers to design tailored integrations of our edge AI platform, ensuring seamless compliance and security while driving technical discussions...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$350K - $375K *

Lead the charge in defining and implementing a modern AI architecture across multiple business units, ensuring scalable, efficient, and secure AI systems that enhance product capabilities and drive in...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$230K - $265K *

Advance relationships with state and local governments in the Western U.S. to drive AI policy and regulation, coordinating efforts across teams while executing strategic objectives and engaging with k...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion strategic initiatives by translating high-level goals into actionable plans. Collaborate with executives to identify operational gaps and drive execution through influence, ensuring alignment...

Virginia, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $264K *

Champion innovative strategies for State & Local Government, bridging customer needs with product development. Drive revenue growth and enhance customer relationships through industry insights and tai...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$210K - $250K *

Champion transformative data strategies and lead technical pursuits in AI and data migration. Drive client success and practice growth while enhancing market presence through strategic partnerships an...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $250K *

Transform your career by leading data strategy and architecture as a senior technology executive. Drive client success, enhance market presence, and shape innovative solutions in the Databricks Data ...

CanadaRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $250K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of data and AI by leading strategic initiatives, guiding clients through complex migrations, and enhancing our market presence as a senior technology executive in...

New York, NYRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$168K - $261K *

Join to optimize distributed training performance on AWS Trainium. Work collaboratively across ML frameworks and hardware to advance deep learning efficiency while mentoring a talented engineering tea...

Cupertino, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$87K - $110K *

Engage with customers to ensure their success through onboarding, training, and support. Build strong relationships, manage inquiries, and collaborate with teams to enhance customer satisfaction and d...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$85K - $105K *

Champion customer success by leveraging data solutions to drive impactful results. Collaborate with clients to optimize their experience, ensuring seamless implementation and maximizing the value of o...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$160K - $190K *

Lead and develop a team of Product Managers to drive AI-powered product strategy, governance, and investment decisions. Shape the organization's AI capabilities while ensuring responsible AI practices...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Champion a dynamic team of Product Managers to drive AI-powered product strategy, governance, and investment decisions. Elevate organizational AI capabilities while ensuring responsible practices and...

New York, NYRemote

3 days 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.