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.

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1
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$195K - $225K *

Innovate within a dynamic team to design, develop, and deploy advanced applications for a transformational initiative. Lead technical solutions and mentor engineers while ensuring optimal application...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $125K *

Lead innovative design solutions as a Senior Design Engineer, transforming client needs into actionable broadcast system designs. Collaborate with global teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure pro...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$165K - $248K *

Lead enterprise-scale operations for cloud services, ensuring performance and customer satisfaction. Drive a multidisciplinary team, manage service transitions, and leverage data-driven metrics to enh...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $161K *

Drive enterprise Identity Security solutions in a complex healthcare environment, focusing on secure identity lifecycle management, authentication, and compliance while integrating clinical applicatio...

Kentucky, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$116K - $210K *

Elevate manufacturing capabilities by leading enterprise MES initiatives, ensuring system performance, configuration, and integration while driving continuous improvement and technical expertise acros...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$88K - $154K *

Engineer innovative Electronic Security Systems solutions for diverse clients, guiding projects from concept to construction. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with specifications and delive...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$115K *

Take ownership of innovative cloud security solutions by engineering autonomous AI tools that meet complex requirements, ensuring robust security and efficiency in high-velocity environments. Drive pr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $189K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing information technology solutions within the Department of the Air Force. Drive the implementation and modernization of Tenable architecture to ensure complian...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $215K *

Drive security innovation by architecting robust DevSecOps solutions for cloud and on-premises systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure cybersecurity compliance and enhance BlackSky’s leadership in...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Invent and lead the future of enterprise architecture and engineering, driving technical decisions and team management in a dynamic environment. Transform complex systems into scalable, secure solutio...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $184K *

Pioneer the development and operational convergence through automation, designing CI/CD pipelines and driving release process efficiency to enhance software delivery across diverse teams and projects...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in developing and implementing enterprise security strategies across corporate and government facilities, ensuring compliance and protection of personnel and assets while serving as th...

Springville, UTRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing aviation safety through rigorous software verification and testing. This role involves developing and executing test cases for critical avionics systems, ensu...

Virginia, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Contribute to innovative cloud solutions by leveraging your expertise in Azure, C#/.NET, and DevOps practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security, scalability, and performance...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform customer IT service requirements into innovative solutions that enhance loyalty and profitability. Lead technical resources in delivering high-quality financial industry solutions while ensu...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$147K - $190K *

Lead the charge in defining and guiding enterprise architecture across product systems and business applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate strategy into actionable designs...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $89K *

Elevate your career by developing innovative software solutions, driving product enhancements, and collaborating within an Agile team. Utilize core technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to deliv...

Toronto, ONRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $215K *

Drive innovation in data engineering and AI solutions, leading the design and deployment of scalable systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance business value through advanced technol...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$250K - $500K+*

Champion innovative mechanical designs for rack-scale AI systems, leading the integration of advanced cooling technologies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards from concept through product...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$245K - $260K *

Lead technical solutions for U.S. Army accounts, enhancing digital performance and visibility. Collaborate with executives to develop strategies, conduct presentations, and address complex challenges...

Abell, MDRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $273K *

Elevate infrastructure innovation by architecting automated, resilient multi-cloud environments, driving AI-first operations, and implementing Zero Trust security protocols across enterprise systems f...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $185K *

Lead enterprise-level architectural initiatives to enhance endpoint technologies, guiding modernization efforts and integrating emerging solutions across multiple divisions while ensuring security and...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $147K *

Oversee project financial performance and analytics, ensuring effective management across complex contracts. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and deliver actionable insights, driving operat...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $155K *

Join a team that's driving security excellence by implementing technical controls and developing procedures for compliance with NIST and FedRAMP. Collaborate with Cloud Service Providers to ensure sec...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $140K *

Unlock your potential as a leader in program performance management, guiding teams in cost and schedule development for high-value engineering programs. Collaborate across functions to drive success i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   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.