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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$127K - $212K *

Champion secure architecture by conducting reviews and assessments for cloud and on-premise systems. Leverage your cybersecurity expertise to design solutions that align with security best practices a...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$148K - $190K *

Unlock your potential as you build and maintain integrations that connect security tools to enhance customer workflows. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, deliver, and support reliable solutio...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $288K *

Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of cloud infrastructure, ensuring security and scalability while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support healthcare applications and syste...

Woonsocket, RIRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$157K - $203K *

Drive strategic growth by managing Federal Systems Integrator accounts, leveraging relationships and market insights to deliver compliant technology solutions that align with federal missions and fund...

Rockville, MDRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $158K *

Unlock potential by managing complex projects in digital healthcare, ensuring product quality and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive program success and address st...

Waukesha, WIRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$156K - $173K *

Elevate portfolio risk management by leading cross-program initiatives, identifying risks, and driving mitigations. Manage discrete programs while ensuring effective communication and reporting to sta...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $160K *

Deliver strategic leadership in federal subcontract management, guiding a team through the entire subcontract lifecycle. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure compliance and drive p...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive strategic direction and oversight for the subcontract life cycle, ensuring compliance and effective management across federal programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance subcont...

Virginia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $215K *

Lead the charge in transforming supply chain technology strategies, driving innovation and operational excellence across S2P and O2C value streams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance d...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to architect scalable AI solutions in healthcare, enhancing patient communication and safety. Lead cross-team projects, mentor engineers, and drive innovation in AI engineering pra...

Orlando, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Execute comprehensive project controls to ensure timely, budget-compliant project completion. Collaborate with teams to analyze financial data, manage forecasts, and report on project progress across...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$105K - $231K *

Optimize the architecture and deployment of Tenable solutions for DAF. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance IT services, drive modernization, and maintain compliance while leveraging clo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading complex engineering initiatives across Microsoft 365 collaboration services, ensuring secure, reliable solutions while mentoring engineers and enhancing platform health thr...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$104K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead critical BAS projects, ensuring seamless integration of automation systems and smart building solutions while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to meet project goals...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Lead project teams to deliver quality IT solutions, managing multi-disciplinary staff and overseeing all aspects of project lifecycle from design to implementation for a large-scale agency contract...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $237K *

Drive enterprise cloud infrastructure design and optimization, ensuring high availability, security, and scalability. Collaborate with diverse teams in a dynamic environment to enhance cloud adoption...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$155K - $165K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise architecture to enhance logistics and installation management. Leverage your expertise to drive compliance and modernization initiatives while collaborating wi...

Arlington, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $140K *

Play a key role in leading complex analytical projects, driving Federal transformation engagements, and delivering client-ready solutions while collaborating with stakeholders across various disciplin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$89K - $148K *

Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative telecommunications solutions. Lead the design and engineering of complex systems, ensuring compliance with security standards while optimizing per...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $166K *

Elevate your career by managing a dynamic engineering team to design electric distribution systems, ensuring high-quality project deliverables while fostering client relationships and team collaborati...

Framingham, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Unlock growth by leading federal capture efforts, developing strategies, and securing contracts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align customer needs with capabilities, ensuring compliance...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of technology solutions by leveraging your expertise as a Principal Solution Architect. Drive customer success through innovative implementations and strategic gu...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $226K *

Lead the AI enablement initiative, crafting tools and workflows to empower engineers across the organization, enhancing productivity and safety through innovative AI technologies and practices...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $206K *

Innovate with a team that's transforming healthcare through AI-driven software. Lead the development of scalable solutions, mentor engineers, and enhance workflows in a dynamic environment that impact...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.