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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$153K - $190K *

Join a team that's empowering the U.S. Air Force's Big Safari mission by providing expert mission engineering support for advanced Electromagnetic Battle Management systems and enhancing cross-platfor...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Champion quality compliance initiatives and drive operational excellence by enhancing inspection readiness, regulatory strategy, and risk management programs. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure dat...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $185K *

Lead the charge in analytical research and development to drive innovation for therapeutic solutions in oncology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring timely and efficient project deliver...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive modernization efforts by managing enterprise systems and infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to ensure high availability, performance, and security while delivering innovative solutions and t...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$67K - $112K *

Champion advanced analytics solutions by developing predictive models and leading engagements to drive business value for financial institutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate insights in...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $190K *

Join a leading tech firm to drive AI compute infrastructure innovations. As a Principal Technologist, you'll engage with industry leaders, lead complex pre-sales solutions, and mentor teams to deliver...

1 month ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$320K - $485K *

Engineer seamless cloud services for Claude, driving efficiency and scalability across major CSPs by building robust backend systems and cross-functional collaboration for optimized performance and co...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$250K - $300K *

Shape the future of scientific innovation by leading operational strategies that bridge AI and physical sciences. Drive cross-functional coordination, enhance research visibility, and partner with lea...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Drive your career with a dynamic role managing cross-functional teams to enhance program performance and profitability. Engage with diverse projects while ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$186K - $316K *

Join us to lead the development of innovative insulin delivery fluid-path systems. Drive technical strategy, mentor talent, and collaborate across teams to enhance product performance and patient expe...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$186K - $316K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of innovative insulin delivery fluid-path systems. Drive technical strategy from concept to commercialization, enhancing product performance and usability w...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$157K - $227K *

Lead the charge in managing global secure destruction programs, ensuring the safe disposal of sensitive assets while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance security protocols and operati...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$159K - $324K *

Shape the future of eCommerce innovation by designing scalable ML systems to enhance counterfeit detection, optimize operations, and drive data-driven decision-making through advanced machine learning...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative scientific communication strategies. This role combines advanced content development with strategic leadership across therapeutic areas, engaging directly with cl...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Unlock your potential in advanced scientific communication and strategic leadership. Collaborate on integrated medical communications across therapeutic areas, creating impactful content and guiding i...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$204K - $272K *

Join our team as a Principal Network Engineer, where you'll lead the design and security of a multi-site network, enhancing lab operations and driving innovation in network architecture across diverse...

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Shape data-driven solutions by leveraging your expertise in machine learning and analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful insights and ensure seamless deployment in prod...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$141K - $262K *

Drive biotherapeutic innovation as a Principal Scientist, leading a lab team to develop breakthrough protein technologies and advance clinical candidates through collaborative, interdisciplinary resea...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$112K - $160K *

Lead our Geology department by providing technical guidance and strategic direction, managing exploration and resource modeling projects, and ensuring safety and performance in line with corporate obj...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $155K *

Pioneer operational excellence by leading a team focused on resilience engineering for quantum systems. Drive continuous improvement, incident response, and strategic planning to enhance performance a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Champion customer success by leading implementation projects from pre-sales to go-live. You’ll translate workflows into actionable plans, foster stakeholder alignment, and ensure seamless delivery, dr...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $165K *

Join a team that's transforming data into actionable insights through advanced statistical methodologies and machine learning, driving innovation in media measurement and analytics across diverse busi...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead a dynamic team in providing systems engineering and technical advisory services for advanced space and ground architectures, ensuring mission success through effective oversight and integration o...

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $201K *

Advance AI-native biologics discovery by integrating cutting-edge AI and computational methods into therapeutic programs. Collaborate across teams to enhance decision-making and accelerate the develop...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$117K - $201K *

Engage in AI-native biologics discovery by integrating advanced AI and computational design into therapeutic programs. Collaborate across teams to enhance decision-making and accelerate drug discovery...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 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.