Chief Systems Engineer Jobs

Explore Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) opportunities for experienced professionals who lead the design, integration, and performance of complex systems. CSEs bring technical teams together, translate mission and business needs into system architectures, and guide programs from concept through deployment. Browse vetted roles on Ladders, including positions paying $100,000 or more.

What Does a Chief Systems Engineer Do?

A Chief Systems Engineer establishes technical direction across a program or organization. Typical responsibilities include defining system requirements and architecture, overseeing system integration, managing technical risks, and ensuring that solutions meet performance, safety, security, and regulatory expectations. CSEs often work across engineering disciplines and serve as a key technical partner to program leaders, customers, and executives.

Industries Hiring Chief Systems Engineers

Chief Systems Engineers are sought in aerospace, defense, national security, software, telecommunications, transportation, energy, and other industries that develop or operate complex, interconnected systems. Job requirements vary by sector and may involve specialized standards, certifications, or experience with particular technologies and mission environments.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek extensive systems engineering experience, a record of technical leadership, and the ability to communicate clearly with both engineering teams and senior stakeholders. Relevant strengths may include systems architecture, requirements management, integration and verification, model-based systems engineering, risk management, and lifecycle planning. Many positions require a bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering or a related field; specific education and clearance requirements depend on the role.

Explore CSE Jobs on Ladders

Find Chief Systems Engineer openings that align with your expertise, leadership goals, and preferred industry. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates discover senior-level roles and take the next step in their careers.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$89K - $148K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your electrical engineering expertise to support military vessel operations. Collaborate with teams to ensure safe, reliable electrical systems while managing design and...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$76K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by leading cost estimating efforts for complex aerospace systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop accurate estimates and support both commercial and government...

Palo Alto, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $235K *

Lead advanced R&D initiatives for Solid Rocket Motor technologies, driving feasibility studies, design, and testing. Provide technical leadership across programs and serve as the primary interface for...

Huntsville, ALRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$105K - $231K *

Empower security excellence by leading ServiceNow implementations, ensuring compliance with NIST and FedRAMP standards, and enhancing platform security through innovative governance and risk managemen...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $120K *

Unlock your potential as a Solutions Engineer, guiding sales teams with expert network security advice, conducting training sessions, and supporting customer needs while driving professional services...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career by leveraging your cybersecurity expertise to drive software modernization initiatives. Contribute to operational objectives while ensuring compliance within a collaborative Agile...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape and support enterprise networking solutions by delivering pre-sales technical leadership and post-sales support. Leverage deep expertise in Wi-Fi, LAN, cloud, and Zero Trust security to ensure o...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive the development of AI-native solutions, designing robust agentic systems and workflows while closely collaborating with SMEs to enhance real user value through effective feedback mechanisms and...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $250K *

Drive enterprise-wide network architecture and modernization for mission-critical systems, ensuring security and resilience across hybrid environments. Collaborate on technical designs, implement solu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Advance your career by leading the design and implementation of agent evaluations, enhancing the performance of AI systems through innovative techniques and team collaboration in a dynamic software en...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$126K - $210K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic engineering team to enhance specialty prescription processes. Drive strategic direction, foster collaboration, and ensure delivery excellence while managing multi...

Columbus, GARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $210K *

Empower Federal agencies by architecting and delivering AI-assisted software solutions. Responsible for client engagement, technology integration, and ensuring that production-ready solutions meet ope...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $216K *

Champion cybersecurity governance by leading strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of security across diverse operational environments. Drive program-wide adoption of sta...

Greenbelt, MDRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$209K - $275K *

Transform your career by leading technical engagements with AI platform customers. Drive innovative solutions in a dynamic environment, leveraging your expertise in data center networking and AI techn...

Richardson, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$131K - $196K *

Unlock potential by developing AI-driven applications and data pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technical solutions, ensuring quality and scalabil...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$107K - $204K *

Champion the development and integration of advanced manufacturing equipment and automation solutions, driving innovation and efficiency across multiple sites while collaborating with vendors and ensu...

Florida, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$70K - $117K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in structural engineering to ensure the integrity and safety of marine vessels. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support critical naval operations and e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$133K - $199K *

Champion a high-performing team of data engineers to drive data transformation, influence technical architecture, and ensure reliable data systems while aligning with business objectives and engineeri...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead the design and implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive health information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while collaborating with cross-functional t...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $275K *

Manage the delivery of GPU clusters for AI workloads by coordinating teams across engineering, networking, and operations. Develop strategies, manage risks, and ensure timely, quality launches to scal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$111K - $206K *

Lead cross-functional teams to develop and manage integrated program schedules, ensuring effective execution and performance through Earned Value Management and critical path analysis. Drive collabora...

Fort Worth, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $190K *

Join a dynamic team to shape the future of cybersecurity solutions across the Americas. As a Senior Solution Engineer, you'll engage deeply with clients, deliver tailored demonstrations, and lead tech...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$153K - $166K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI governance in software development. As a Senior Engineer, you'll design policies and tools that ensure safe, effective use of AI coding agents, empowering d...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in optimizing IT configuration management practices to enhance service lifecycle support, ensuring accuracy of configuration items and improving operational efficiency across enterpris...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$86K - $165K *

Shape the future of records management by developing processes and systems that enhance compliance and efficiency. Collaborate with teams to assess needs, analyze data, and promote best practices in r...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Chief Systems Engineer do?question toggle

    A Chief Systems Engineer provides technical leadership for complex systems, guiding architecture, requirements, integration, verification, and risk management across a program or organization.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Chief Systems Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly look for substantial systems engineering experience, technical leadership, and a bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering or a related field. Some roles require industry-specific expertise, certifications, or security clearance.

  • Which industries hire Chief Systems Engineers?question toggle

    Common industries include aerospace, defense, national security, software, telecommunications, transportation, and energy, as well as other fields involving complex systems.

  • How much do Chief Systems Engineer jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, experience, and scope of responsibility. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.

  • Where can I find Chief Systems Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Chief Systems Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.