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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$135K - $150K *
Lead the charge in enhancing cybersecurity operations by managing incident response, mentoring SOC analysts, and developing processes to effectively identify and mitigate threats in a 24/7 Security Op...
1 week ago
$90K - $168K *
Shape strategic sourcing initiatives by collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive savings and efficiencies in the Mechanical category. Manage supplier relationships and execute OneLM Agreemen...
2 days ago
$114K - $252K *
Inspire innovation by developing scalable cloud software solutions that enhance mission-critical operations in a collaborative environment, translating complex requirements into secure tools on Google...
Reposted 1 week ago
Manager II, Software Engineering, Infrastructure
$154K - $260K *
Join an innovative team to lead and evolve critical Core Infrastructure. Oversee infrastructure strategy, improve operational health, and drive automation to boost performance across a globally distri...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Drive innovation as a strategic Sr. Cloud Architect, transforming legacy systems into scalable, cost-optimized cloud-native architectures while ensuring efficient deployments and dynamic data producti...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Displays Software Engineer, C/C++
$120K - $145K *
Create real-time user interface applications for automated aircraft systems, collaborating with a dynamic team of engineers. Lead the design and implementation to enhance pilot experiences, ensuring s...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Sr Project Engineer (SRM) (Remote Option Available)
$95K - $125K *
Lead and coordinate engineering projects, ensuring technical quality and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing resources, schedules, and bu...
2 weeks ago
Cyber Senior Software Tool Developer - Remote
$86K - $165K *
Join a dynamic team as a Software Developer, enhancing security tools through innovative web applications. Collaborate in an agile environment to design, develop, and maintain solutions that support c...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Subcontracts Administrator - Remote
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by managing full life cycle subcontract activities, ensuring compliance, and driving supplier performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize procurement strategie...
2 days ago
Director, Global Value Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Champion the evolution of Business Value Engineering by leading a global team, optimizing practices, and driving strategic initiatives across sales and customer engagement to enhance operational succe...
2 days ago
$120K - $150K *
Transform complex challenges into scalable AI solutions by collaborating with enterprise clients, guiding projects from concept to deployment, and delivering impactful results across the entire custom...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Capture & Business Development Manager
$85K - $110K *
Drive business growth by identifying and qualifying federal procurement opportunities, focusing on healthcare contracts. Collaborate on capture strategies and build partnerships to enhance win probabi...
Today
DevSecOps Engineer/Linux Administrator (Senior)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior DevSecOps Engineer, driving operational excellence in Linux and DB2 administration. Collaborate across teams to enhance application performance and security in a full...
3 days ago
Software Engineering Technical Leader
$177K - $257K *
Advance internal AI platforms, enabling efficient engineering workflows for scalable AI agents. Collaborate with teams to build and enhance tools that increase productivity and reduce toil across the...
Reposted today
Software Engineering Technical Leader
$166K - $238K *
Transform high-volume DNS resolver systems as a key engineer, driving exceptional performance in mission-critical environments. Collaborate with teams to develop services on AWS and OpenStack, ensurin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $240K *
Develop innovative PCB layouts and improve product designs by collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ensure high quality and compliance throughout the engineering and manufacturing process, while...
Reposted 1 week ago
Systems Engineer - Research Infrastructure & Lab Platforms - Government Customer
$120K - $140K *
Unlock potential by architecting and enhancing next-gen research platforms, driving automation and reliability to provide researchers with cutting-edge tools. Collaborate in a dynamic environment brid...
Reposted 4 days ago
Staff Systems Engineer - AV Sensing Design
$189K - $290K *
Join a team that's redefining autonomous sensing systems, providing technical leadership in sensor suite design and integration. Collaborate across functions to tackle engineering challenges and drive...
1 week ago
Senior Systems Engineer (Unix and Windows)
$125K - $185K *
Champion system administration by leveraging enterprise IT expertise, scripting skills, and a client-focused approach to enhance performance and satisfaction in diverse environments across scientific...
4 weeks ago
$114K - $252K *
Elevate national security through innovative cloud automation in a dynamic role. Architect and automate the infrastructure for AI and data analytics platforms to enhance oversight and efficiency withi...
4 weeks ago
$68K - $143K *
Analyze and reengineer business processes to enhance operational efficiency, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic goals and regulatory requirements while supporting syste...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$134K - $199K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$130K - $195K *
Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...
Today
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
$170K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...
3 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in enhancing security for a complex federal platform, safeguarding cloud infrastructure and sensitive data. Collaborate within an Agile team to design, implement, and automate robust s...
1 week ago
What does a Chief Systems Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Browse Chief Systems Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.