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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$180K - $230K *

Grow your career with a leadership role overseeing global operations, focusing on strategy development, performance management, and cross-department collaboration to drive operational excellence and i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$222K - $303K *

Transform your career by leading global CMC regulatory strategies for gene therapy. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance and driving i...

San Diego, CARemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $230K *

Architect system-level requirements and verification plans for a complex aerospace program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure coherent design and integration across multiple engineerin...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$95K - $115K *

Explore innovative strategies for organizational change management, driving successful project transitions and integrating emerging technologies while ensuring effective communication and collaboratio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Champion a secure digital landscape by architecting innovative security solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design robust security infrastructures that align with customer business o...

Texas, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Champion strategic research initiatives to enhance product efficacy and student success. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive impactful studies, mentor a growing team, and translate findings into a...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$125K - $150K *

Engage in strategic finance management by leading financial modeling, budgeting, and analysis processes. Collaborate with leadership to drive data-driven decisions and enhance financial infrastructure...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Partner with us to drive innovative mechanical design solutions for Navy missile systems. Leverage your expertise in complex programs to lead design analysis and collaborate with diverse teams, ensuri...

Indiana, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $243K *

Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI/ML systems. Drive architectural decisions, optimize model development, and enhance system reliability while collaborating with cross-functio...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $288K *

Transform enterprise technology by leading modernization initiatives, enhancing engineering practices, and enabling responsible AI adoption across diverse platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to d...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$73K - $110K *

Deliver scientific leadership and technical oversight in forensic DNA analysis, ensuring quality results. Oversee complex testing, support validation, and provide expert testimony while training staff...

Omaha, NERemote

4 weeks ago

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

$160K - $190K *

Transform security solutions across multiple domains, driving technical direction and collaboration to address high-risk items and enhance Meta's security posture company-wide. Lead cross-functional t...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$136K - $185K *

Champion the future of operational excellence by partnering with senior leaders to architect strategies and build an agile organizational framework that drives multi-team alignment and seamless execut...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $225K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical partner lead, driving integrations and collaborating with partners. Leverage your expertise to shape architecture, enhance security, and create repeatable patterns a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing innovative solutions across multiple higher education platforms. Collaborate with teams to implement best practices and ensure alignment with institutional goals, driving...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$164K - $295K *

Optimize the delivery of advanced server rack solutions by leading cross-functional teams, managing complex hardware programs, and ensuring alignment with hyperscale data center requirements for next...

Austin, TXRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$130K - $160K *

Drive strategic initiatives in fintech, translating market insights into actionable priorities. Engage with cross-functional teams, define key frameworks, and craft narratives for leadership decisions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing public safety through innovative SaaS solutions. As a Technical Program Manager, you'll lead complex deployments, ensuring alignment with customer needs and d...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$72K - $135K *

Champion the design and delivery of impactful learning initiatives, ensuring alignment with business needs while enhancing the learner experience across a global Operations organization...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $120K *

Advance progress at the intersection of clinical trials and supply chain management. Leverage your expertise to streamline processes, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure successful pro...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$138K - $176K *

Drive innovation in polymer processing by leading injection molding initiatives, optimizing manufacturing performance, and collaborating across teams to enhance product quality and efficiency in medic...

Largo, FLRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$400K - $450K *

Lead and inspire a high-performing sales team to engage F500 executives, driving complex sales cycles and fostering deep relationships to maximize revenue growth in the enterprise sector...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$122K - $175K *

Elevate your career by joining our team as a Staff Threat Researcher, where you'll analyze complex cyber threats, develop detection methodologies, and enhance our defensive capabilities across diverse...

Bellevue, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock the potential of complex AWS engagements by anchoring architecture across delivery, security, and client relations. Become the key strategist who connects technical design to business excellenc...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $288K *

Shape the future of underwriting analytics by leading a team of data scientists to enhance forecasting accuracy and drive strategic insights, ensuring financial integrity and operational excellence ac...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.