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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$161K - $242K *

Join a team that's driving strategic initiatives and digital transformation. Collaborate with senior leaders to tackle complex challenges, influence decision-making, and ensure successful execution of...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $111K *

Champion complex systems engineering initiatives with a focus on safety, delivering innovative solutions that comply with DoD standards. Lead hazard analysis and risk mitigation efforts while mentorin...

Pittsfield, MARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$151K - $216K *

Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative solutions, drive technical excellence, and foster collaboration while serving the U.S. Government in a hybrid work env...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Champion continuous process improvement and organizational redesign, providing expert analysis and guidance to enhance business processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effectiv...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead and enhance the SRE team, ensuring reliable operations across deployments. Collaborate with various engineering units to uphold security and performance, while implementing improvements in high-d...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive the evolution of our design system by building foundational infrastructure that empowers designers, engineers, and AI agents to create cohesive, high-quality experiences while leading a growing...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Shape the future of federal financial operations by driving user adoption and change management for a new tool. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user experience, streamline processes, and ensu...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$119K - $208K *

Transform your career by leading the design and implementation of cutting-edge AV and collaboration systems. Drive innovation in enterprise environments, ensuring high-quality meeting solutions that e...

Bowie, MDRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $220K *

Shape the future of customer solutions by leading implementations and driving adoption of innovative technologies. Collaborate with teams to deliver tailored architectural designs that meet strategic...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $260K *

Lead the charge in securing global systems as a Cybersecurity Engineer, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement secure architectures while ensuring compliance with critical s...

Carlsbad, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$190K - $225K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional services to State and Local Government accounts. Drive strategic initiatives, enhance customer satisfaction, and support business development efforts while ma...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$113K - $169K *

Lead the charge in quality engineering by designing automation frameworks, mentoring teams, and driving innovative testing strategies to ensure high-performing software delivery across multiple Agile...

Atlanta, GARemote

Yesterday

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

$85K - $100K *

Champion innovative solutions as a System Engineer, driving client success through technology implementation and project management. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and enhance clie...

Tampa, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining cloud infrastructure by providing cross-departmental technical leadership, driving innovative architectural solutions, and mentoring top engineers to create unified, scal...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $190K *

Elevate business systems by leading NetSuite management and integrations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure scalable, reliable processes while leveraging AI for development. Mentor a t...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$225K - $270K *

Lead the charge in Workforce Transformation by measuring AI’s impact, redesigning roles, and shaping skills for the future. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to anticipate workforce needs and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$105K - $231K *

Grow your career with an opportunity to bridge data governance and cybersecurity in a critical national security program, ensuring compliance and security for innovative AI and data analytics platform...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's designing the next-gen routing platform for enterprise contact centers. You'll develop scalable backend services for real-time interaction distribution, collaborating across teams t...

Phoenix, AZRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Build innovative routing engines for enterprise-scale contact centers, optimizing real-time distribution of interactions across various channels. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance per...

Houston, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Deliver innovative routing solutions for enterprise-scale contact centers. Design and build a robust routing engine that intelligently distributes interactions across various channels, ensuring high a...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in designing and developing a cutting-edge routing engine for enterprise-scale contact centers, ensuring real-time distribution of interactions across various channels while optimizing...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Empower enterprise-scale contact centers by designing and developing a cutting-edge routing engine. Collaborate across teams to ensure intelligent distribution of interactions, optimizing for performa...

San Antonio, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's redefining contact center technology by designing and building a cutting-edge routing engine. You'll develop scalable backend services for real-time interaction distribution, collab...

Vancouver, BCRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Innovate the future of enterprise contact centers by designing a robust routing engine that intelligently distributes interactions across various channels, ensuring high performance and scalability in...

Dallas, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Engineer the future of contact center technology by developing a robust routing engine that intelligently distributes interactions across various channels, ensuring high availability and performance i...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.