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.
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
$210K - $265K *
Transform engineering excellence by redefining AI paradigms, driving innovation, and shaping technical strategies to elevate performance across teams while enhancing the educational experience for stu...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Sr. Principal Pilot - USMC Aviation
$129K - $193K *
Join a dynamic team as a Subject Matter Expert, guiding mission planning solutions for USMC aviation. Collaborate with engineers and pilots to enhance operational capabilities and deliver impactful tr...
Today
Software Engineering – Intelligent Platforms (Mid)
$87K - $157K *
Unlock your potential as a mid-level Software Engineer, driving innovation in AI-enabled platforms. Collaborate with a diverse team to build intelligent agents and backend services, enhancing automati...
Today
Sr. Elastic Engineer (TS/SCI Cleared)
$170K - $215K *
Elevate your career by implementing and optimizing Elastic Stack environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system reliability and performance while driving automation and integr...
2 weeks ago
$106K - $147K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, shaping product roadmaps, and delivering high-quality user interfaces and APIs that enhance us...
Yesterday
$151K - $238K *
Champion strategic capture initiatives and lead high-impact proposal development, ensuring compliance and compelling content. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to operationalize winning strategi...
1 month ago
$120K - $150K *
Accelerate progress at a large-scale automation project as the executive leader driving end-to-end delivery, ensuring scope, schedule, and quality align with customer expectations and business objecti...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Lead the charge in shaping a robust security function, managing a team while enhancing AWS infrastructure, compliance, and application security within a remote-first culture and fast-paced environment...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Engineer (Principal)
$132K - $211K *
Unlock potential by serving as a key technical leader, bridging engineering and enterprise architecture to eliminate adoption friction and enhance cloud-native infrastructure and AI platform deploymen...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Product Security Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Empower progress in product security by embedding advanced safeguards within every development phase. Collaborate with engineering teams to build AI-enhanced security tooling and enhance proactive ris...
Reposted 1 month ago
$114K - $155K *
Create and maintain secure, high-performance solutions as a Senior DevSecOps Engineer, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance public access and compliance in digital court records system...
3 weeks 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.