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.
Principal Industry Strategist- Space Force
$157K - $182K *
Innovate your career by leveraging deep industry expertise to guide clients in strategic technology implementation and solution development, while building lasting relationships and driving impactful...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Lead the charge in developing complex geological models and resource estimations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and oversee project delivery, ensuring high-quality results that meet client...
3 weeks ago
Medical Director, Clinical Development
$256K - $288K *
Lead the charge in clinical trial oversight and data interpretation, ensuring safety and efficacy of pipeline products through expert collaboration and strategic planning, aligning clinical activities...
4 weeks ago
$165K - $190K *
Shape innovative IT solutions by leading technical strategies for federal proposals. Collaborate with teams to design enterprise architectures, ensuring alignment with business goals while serving as...
1 week ago
Senior Director, AI Transformation
$185K - $215K *
Champion AI integration across teams, driving transformative initiatives for measurable outcomes. Lead enterprise-wide AI adoption strategy, governance, and programs, influencing stakeholders to harne...
Reposted 1 week ago
Vendor Security Technical Program Manager
$120K - $150K *
Lead vendor security engagements by assessing risks, developing solutions, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security practices and drive implementation of ef...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Engineer, Project Engineering
$100K - $130K *
Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...
2 weeks ago
$170K - $270K *
Join a team that's redefining identity and cybersecurity strategy. As Field CTO, you will engage top-tier clients, influence their security architecture, and shape the technical narrative for our inno...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Drive impactful cybersecurity solutions by executing advanced penetration tests, managing engagements, and providing strategic guidance on security architecture, while fostering team collaboration and...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform cybersecurity practices by delivering high-quality penetration tests, managing engagements, and providing strategic guidance on security architecture. Collaborate with teams to enhance mobil...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Global Market Development Manager, Bioprocessing Product Commercialization (REMOTE)
$132K - $194K *
Elevate your career by leading global market strategies for innovative bioprocessing filtration products. Collaborate across teams to drive adoption and growth through compelling value propositions an...
Reposted 5 days ago
$92K - $166K *
Empower engineering teams to excel in electric utility projects nationwide while optimizing project performance through strategic leadership and client collaboration. Drive business growth by managing...
Reposted 1 week ago
Global Pharmacovigilance (PV) Scientist, Manager- Oncology
$116K - $157K *
Lead innovative safety strategies in pharmacovigilance, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure patient safety throughout the product lifecycle, from development to post-marketing, while m...
3 weeks ago
Principal Cloud Operations Manager
$165K - $248K *
Lead enterprise-scale operations for cloud services, ensuring performance and customer satisfaction. Drive a multidisciplinary team, manage service transitions, and leverage data-driven metrics to enh...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Architect, Healthcare
$165K - $243K *
Deliver innovative disaster recovery solutions for healthcare systems, ensuring compliance and resilience for clinical workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges...
4 days ago
Director, Product Management, Asset Management Services
$190K - $230K *
Shape the future of asset management by driving global strategy, revenue growth, and service innovation. Lead a high-performing team to deliver exceptional value in regulated environments, ensuring co...
3 weeks ago
Senior Web Experimentation Manager
$114K - $145K *
Lead the charge in optimizing web experimentation across high-traffic pages. You'll set standards, design tests, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful insights and enhance use...
2 weeks ago
Senior Web Experimentation Manager
$152K - $194K *
Advance your career by leading a high-impact web experimentation program, driving data-driven decisions across key website pages, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize user experie...
2 weeks ago
$105K - $140K *
Innovate with advanced analytics and AI to transform enterprise data into actionable insights, driving impactful decisions in Clinical Development and Operations. Collaborate with cross-functional tea...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative GN&C solutions for lunar missions, providing technical leadership and driving system performance from design to flight operations, while collaborating across multidisciplinary team...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Unlock potential by providing strategic financial leadership and analysis to business units. Collaborate with teams to enhance financial management practices, ensuring compliance and supporting organi...
1 week ago
Senior Red Team Engineer - Frontier AI Security (Remote US)
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...
Reposted 2 days ago
$125K - $170K *
Lead the charge in managing complex contracts for a major program, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment. Collaborate with teams to develop proposals, negotiate terms, and maintain strong relati...
4 days ago
$225K - $275K *
Elevate healthcare standards by guiding medical policy and coding within a collaborative team. Leverage your expertise to enhance client relationships, improve payment accuracy, and drive strategic in...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Program Manager, EPD Operations
$152K - $191K *
Lead operational health initiatives by optimizing processes and driving efficiency within Engineering, Product, and Design teams. Collaborate across functions to enhance productivity and implement dat...
1 week 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.