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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$114K - $155K *

Lead innovation by developing and maintaining secure software solutions for public access to court electronic records. Collaborate with diverse teams, ensuring compliance with security standards and d...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $198K *

Shape the future of supply chain management by leading Agile project delivery, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboration across teams to optimize logistics and enhance performance metrics withi...

Rockville, MDRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge AI systems by leveraging your expertise in Go and Python. Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize and refine scalable services, ensuring high performance and u...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$122K - $176K *

Lead the charge in evolving a cutting-edge financial assistant, enhancing user experience through innovative features and AI integration while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a dynamic st...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading PMO operations for a complex federal IT program. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure timely execution, effective risk management, and compliance, while maintaining sche...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $180K *

Unlock potential by managing key relationships with insurance partners, overseeing operations, and ensuring compliance in a dynamic, team-focused environment. Thrive in a collaborative setting that dr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$126K - $160K *

Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with sales teams, leading demos, and managing technical inquiries. Leverage your expertise to enhance customer experiences and support enterprise tr...

San Diego, CARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $155K *

Engineer cutting-edge mechanical systems for revolutionary aerospace projects. Collaborate across disciplines to design, test, and iterate on flight hardware while empowering hands-on engagement with...

Texas, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $175K *

Empower engineering teams to enhance assessment services through leadership, technical expertise, and responsible AI adoption. Drive team performance and customer outcomes across diverse product areas...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in overseeing pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for liquefied hydrocarbon facilities, ensuring safety and efficiency while coordinating with teams and stakeholders through...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Play a key role in designing and optimizing enterprise-scale cloud environments and CI/CD pipelines, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance operations, automate processes, and support mission-cri...

Sterling, VARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $280K *

Elevate AI and autonomy technologies from concept to production-ready solutions. Collaborate across teams to drive commercialization and product strategy while ensuring effective implementation and in...

Lone Tree, CORemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $155K *

Deliver your expertise to enhance the security posture of Cloud Service Providers. Engage in comprehensive architecture reviews, compliance assessments, and technical consultations within a collaborat...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in ensuring quality and compliance for mechanical and electrical systems. Collaborate across teams to uphold standards, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement in mission...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Manage the configuration and administration of our quote-to-cash platform, enhancing DealHub and Salesforce systems to optimize business operations. Collaborate to design robust workflows, governance...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $215K *

Unlock potential by leading AI architecture solutions that empower clients through innovative design, hands-on implementation, and strategic guidance, ensuring successful adoption of cutting-edge tech...

Virginia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $158K *

Contribute to the security of critical Oracle systems by designing and implementing cyber controls. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, support testing phases, and produce quality deliverable...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$154K - $180K *

Unlock your potential as a strategic leader driving customer support excellence. Own high-impact programs, optimize processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experienc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...

California, USRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $243K *

Deliver innovative disaster recovery solutions for healthcare systems, ensuring compliance and resilience for clinical workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $166K *

Empower engineering teams to excel in electric utility projects nationwide while optimizing project performance through strategic leadership and client collaboration. Drive business growth by managing...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $150K *

Join a team that's engineering innovative cloud solutions, ensuring stability and performance while driving continuous improvement across scalable environments. Your expertise will shape the future of...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in program management excellence, ensuring seamless operations and compliance across diverse teams while supporting critical Air Force contract initiatives and rapid-response readiness...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$116K - $210K *

Transform environmental remediation projects as a technical leader, guiding multidisciplinary teams through complex regulatory challenges, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders to ensure compl...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead large-scale automation projects, guiding teams through all phases with a focus on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and financial management in a collaborative environment...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.