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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$260K - $280K *

Innovate and lead the growth of a dynamic MSP/MSSP engineering team by driving scalable platform capabilities, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering a culture of quality and collaboration wit...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $125K *

Join our cybersecurity surge team to bridge security and engineering for VA.gov. Assess compliance, automate controls, support ATO readiness, and improve security posture across platforms to enhance r...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

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

$192K - $289K *

Elevate enterprise-level IT solutions by leading architecture and engineering for a diverse portfolio of ~190 platforms. Drive technical performance and strategy, collaborating with senior leaders to...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Shape the future of enterprise architecture by leading strategic initiatives, translating business goals into scalable solutions, and guiding cross-functional teams in integrating complex healthcare a...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$104K - $173K *

Lead the charge in spacecraft structural analysis. Collaborate with engineers to ensure design integrity through advanced simulations, testing, and documentation in a fast-paced environment focused on...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading technical direction in autonomy systems. Drive ownership of advanced perception, prediction, and planning components with cross-stack influence, facilitating innovation and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $140K *

Lead a dynamic software engineering team, ensuring quality delivery and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across business units and driving innovation in energy efficiency solutions...

Ithaca, NYRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$151K - $251K *

Drive the planning and execution of Flight Software development programs, ensuring seamless coordination between engineering and program management for timely delivery of spacecraft software systems...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $173K *

Optimize supplier performance and quality in a dynamic aerospace environment. Lead critical supplier assessments from qualification to delivery, ensuring compliance with high engineering standards and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$166K - $238K *

Lead a dynamic team of engineers in cloud operations, driving reliability and automation. Collaborate across departments to optimize performance and enhance mission-critical services for government cl...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$114K - $252K *

Lead the charge in architecting and implementing a cutting-edge AI platform for federal oversight, driving innovation with technical leadership and ensuring security and compliance across complex clou...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $150K *

Develop and expand advanced orbit design processes for satellite constellations, applying expertise in orbital mechanics. Collaborate with teams to enhance modeling tools and support mission planning...

Seattle, WARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Drive operational excellence by supporting managed services infrastructure, ensuring seamless incident response, systems administration, and network troubleshooting while collaborating with internal t...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $243K *

Join a team that's driving sustainment transformation and adoption across programs. As a Project Engineer Staff, you'll lead initiatives, coordinate projects, and enhance processes to ensure successfu...

Florida, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Transform the learning landscape by leading the design and development of innovative educational materials. You'll engage diverse teams to create immersive, high-quality training experiences using cut...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$99K - $120K *

Build innovative building automation systems in a fast-paced, remote environment. Lead design projects while mentoring junior engineers, collaborating with diverse teams to ensure high-quality deliver...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $160K *

Advance your career by joining a dynamic team focused on delivering innovative enterprise solutions. Engage with a variety of technologies while supporting mission-critical systems. Drive customer suc...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$141K - $224K *

Optimize advanced high-speed communications modem solutions for space and terrestrial applications. Lead system architecture, manage requirements, and provide technical direction across multidisciplin...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $180K *

Elevate cloud solutions by designing, deploying, and managing scalable Azure infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance while driv...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and testing systems-level software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet operational specifications and enhance SAP functionali...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of audit technology by leading deployments, writing production code, and building a strong engineering team to deliver innovative AI solutions for enterprise cust...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$131K - $243K *

Unlock potential by leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements, create specifications, and support the deployment of innovativ...

Littleton, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $150K *

Seeking an experienced cybersecurity professional to lead control assessments, ensuring consistent application of methodologies and quality oversight across multiple clients while mentoring assessors...

Charleston, SCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.