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

$106K - $198K *

Create innovative data solutions by delivering full-stack capabilities across the data lifecycle. Collaborate with teams to design, implement, and optimize data processing pipelines that ensure accura...

Stratford, CTRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity through innovative cloud solutions. You'll design, implement, and optimize security monitoring in Azure, leveraging tools like Microsoft Sentine...

Virginia, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity through cloud solutions. You'll design, implement, and optimize security monitoring and automation in a dynamic environment, focusing on Azure a...

Virginia, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Unlock your potential as you design and implement cutting-edge protective relay systems, ensuring safety and efficiency across multiple projects while collaborating with engineers and clients to deliv...

Tennessee, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$83K - $124K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, enhancing software delivery and operational stability for enterprise applications while collaborating with cross-functiona...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $195K *

Drive the implementation of the Radar Surveillance Replacement program by serving as a field engineer, ensuring successful installation and consultation at critical airport sites while collaborating w...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$151K - $222K *

Elevate your career by leading software security governance initiatives. Drive transformation of security requirements into actionable workflows while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enha...

North Carolina, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$125K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading complex control systems projects, ensuring delivery excellence across safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Mentor Project Managers and drive strategic alignment to s...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Pioneer the success of large-scale construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards. Lead diverse teams, manage client relationships, and drive strategic planning while overseeing...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading our Site Reliability Engineering team, ensuring the reliability and performance of our cloud-native platform. Drive technical excellence, cultivate a high-performance cultu...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $200K *

Lead the charge in electrical engineering excellence across multiple campuses, ensuring robust design, validation, and energization of critical infrastructure while integrating onsite generation solut...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$208K - $306K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by leading platform services that enhance software development. Drive innovation, consolidate capabilities, and foster a culture of collaboration t...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $125K *

Unlock your potential as you design and enhance cutting-edge cloud solutions for diverse web and mobile platforms. Collaborate across teams to translate product vision into robust software while drivi...

Illinois, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$73K - $132K *

Engineer innovative telecommunications solutions in a dynamic team environment. Provide hands-on technical support for installations, testing, and troubleshooting, ensuring operational readiness and h...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $160K *

Transform product security by leading strategy, conducting threat modeling, and collaborating across teams to ensure secure design and compliance. Drive innovation in security practices while mentorin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $180K *

Innovate with us to lead a dynamic team in designing and supporting cutting-edge technical infrastructure. Drive impactful projects, mentor junior engineers, and enhance operational stability while le...

Texas, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$75K - $158K *

Unlock potential by serving as a key Business Analyst/Product Manager in a Scaled Agile environment, translating business objectives into actionable features and capabilities, while collaborating acro...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $251K *

Shape the future of international defense programs by leading cross-functional teams, managing global projects, and building strong customer relationships to ensure successful outcomes and compliance...

Kentucky, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$82K - $156K *

Join us to design and implement advanced software for spacecraft simulators, enhancing simulation capabilities through collaboration, innovation, and adherence to industry best practices in a fast-pac...

San Jose, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to build and enhance security practices, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data. Collaborate across engineering to create secure frameworks, manage identities, and fortify cl...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion our IT infrastructure by automating identity and device management. In this dynamic role, you'll implement innovative security measures while ensuring operational efficiency in a cutting-edge...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic portfolio of Cybersecurity Services, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. Collaborate with stakeholders to manage budgets, risks, and project lifec...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $120K *

Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$86K - $137K *

Optimize project outcomes as you manage small to medium-sized initiatives. Collaborate across teams, navigate risks, and ensure timely delivery of quality solutions while enhancing communication and s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $160K *

Accelerate product development by managing the software lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance user experience and meet stakeholder needs...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.