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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$174K - $208K *

Lead the charge in developing and executing bioanalytical strategies for preclinical and early clinical programs, ensuring high-quality data delivery and regulatory compliance while mentoring junior s...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$112K - $179K *

Analyze and resolve national security questions by leveraging data science expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance data collection strategies and support intelligence production in a fast-paced e...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$112K - $179K *

Tackle critical national security questions by leveraging data science expertise. Collaborate with teams to enhance data collection strategies and automate processes, ensuring adherence to standards w...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$176K - $282K *

Lead critical data analysis initiatives to enhance national security efforts. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop data strategies and improve analytic capabilities, ensuring adherence to standar...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $128K *

Engineer innovative data solutions to tackle national security challenges. Collaborate with teams to enhance analytic capabilities and automate processes, ensuring adherence to standards while interpr...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $234K *

Champion national security by leveraging data science expertise to analyze critical issues, enhance analytic capabilities, and collaborate with diverse teams to drive impactful solutions in a fast-pac...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$89K - $138K *

Transform your career by leading the Environmental Management Branch, overseeing compliance and project execution while guiding a dedicated team. Drive impactful environmental initiatives within a dyn...

Today

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

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on developing next-gen EO/IR sensors and systems. Collaborate on innovative projects from concept to demonstration, leading interdisciplinary teams t...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $350K *

Build advanced inference systems to enhance RL research, optimizing throughput and enabling scalable model updates. Collaborate with researchers to balance efficiency and quality in cutting-edge AI ar...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in AI and Machine Learning innovation, designing and deploying transformative models to enhance user experience, drive business growth, and improve operational efficiency collaborative...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$81K - $85K *

Engage in cutting-edge research on breast cancer progression and metastasis. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to NIH-funded projects, enha...

1 week ago

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

$81K - $85K *

Lead the charge in innovative breast cancer research, utilizing advanced techniques in cell biology and mouse models. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to explore tumor progression and metasta...

2 weeks ago

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

$131K - $237K *

Lead the charge in managing complex IT programs, ensuring product development and lifecycle management while coordinating multiple vendors and teams to meet customer needs and deliver on strategic obj...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$131K - $237K *

Lead the charge in managing complex IT programs, ensuring product development and lifecycle management while coordinating multiple vendors and Agile teams to meet customer needs and deliver on strateg...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K - $310K *

Bring your expertise to transform data into actionable insights, guiding product development as the first Data Scientist. Collaborate closely across teams to enhance AI features and product quality wh...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $125K *

Champion an innovative Systems Engineer role, collaborating with tech teams and vendors to advance product development, enhance designs, and tackle complex technical challenges in a dynamic environmen...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$113K - $140K *

Elevate our biochemistry integration efforts by developing and optimizing novel assays. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance system performance and contribute to innovative workflows, driving tec...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$200K - $250K *

Lead the charge in defining enterprise architecture for security operations, integrating advanced technologies for data collection and retention, detection engineering, and automated response, ensurin...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$164K - $246K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing a global research strategy for patient care solutions, aligning evidence generation with clinical, regulatory, and commercial priorities to drive innovation a...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$140K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) function, driving strategy and integration of in-process analytical technologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency and ensure regu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $175K *

Drive innovation as a Senior Quantum Computational Materials Scientist, guiding research efforts in quantum applications for materials science. Lead initiatives, promote collaboration, and contribute...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $120K *

Accelerate progress at our innovative research team, where you'll design and execute experiments to validate novel targets for RNAi therapeutics, collaborating across functions to impact patient lives...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $202K *

Transform the future of AI by driving applied research and engineering to enhance web data quality and model readiness. Collaborate across teams to develop innovative solutions that impact millions of...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$175K - $195K *

Lead the charge in shaping technical direction and mentoring teams while driving program delivery and fostering a culture of growth and collaboration in a dynamic engineering environment...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$72K - $90K *

Join a team that's dedicated to conducting impactful environmental assessments and analyses. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to support transportation projects, ensuring compliance and sust...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

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.