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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$171K - $245K *

Empower program delivery by leveraging AI-driven tools and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage complex projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment wh...

San Jose, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$154K - $246K *

Join a dynamic team to lead advanced network planning initiatives, guiding strategic projects and shaping product roadmaps. Leverage your expertise to drive innovation in network optimization and ment...

Ottawa, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$88K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI-native software development. Drive engineering excellence by orchestrating autonomous agents and maintaining high-quality standards in a FedRAMP-authorized e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$117K - $143K *

Join a team that's redefining quality engineering by leading the transition to automation. Drive strategy, mentor a global QA team, and enhance testing frameworks to ensure high-quality software deliv...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Elevate project management excellence by delivering best practices in IT systems integration and infrastructure analysis, ensuring compliance with security standards while supporting the Department of...

Colorado, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$159K - $265K *

Join a team that's leading the design and optimization of multi-cloud infrastructure. Drive cloud adoption and innovation while ensuring scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness across Azure, AWS...

Arizona, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$106K - $176K *

Drive financial excellence as a Senior Principal Program Cost Control Analyst, collaborating with program managers to ensure budget adherence, perform cost analysis, and support audits while enhancing...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of money movement by leading innovative software solutions that enhance payroll systems for thousands of businesses. Collaborate across teams to build effective, scalable systems that...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate organizational impact by driving strategic initiatives and fostering cross-functional alignment. Collaborate with global teams to ensure seamless execution of key projects while enhancing comp...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$175K - $210K *

Lead the global intellectual property strategy for groundbreaking AI infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to protect and leverage IP assets, driving innovation and aligning with bus...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...

Seattle, WARemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$126K - $188K *

Shape the future of security operations by leading SOC Engineering to enhance telemetry, detection, and automation capabilities. Drive technical excellence, scalability, and strategic initiatives whil...

Missouri, USRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $172K *

Optimize your career by managing the full contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance, and driving profitable execution of agreements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer relations...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$195K - $290K *

Transform detection strategies by leading engineering teams to enhance on-sensor detection engines and infrastructure, ensuring high-quality protection for customers while managing performance and ope...

Minnesota, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential by enhancing corporate security operations through hands-on engineering. Collaborate with teams to manage endpoints, identity access, and incident response while driving complian...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining endpoint management by designing and optimizing Active Directory, Group Policy, and Intune solutions for a global organization, ensuring seamless integration and user pro...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$149K - $201K *

Join a team that's transforming data into impactful AI solutions. As an AI Engineer/Architect, you'll lead innovative projects, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive automation in mission-critical...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Innovate and enhance software solutions in a dynamic SaaS environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain high-quality applications while driving continuous impro...

Puerto Rico, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$102K - $138K *

Elevate product strategy and delivery in a scaled Agile framework, ensuring business value through effective collaboration, backlog management, and strategic execution across Agile Release Trains for...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $170K *

Engineer innovative mechanical solutions for DOJ/BOP facilities, providing expert analysis and support for HVAC systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance decision-making through technical docu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$144K - $211K *

Lead the charge in managing complex Industrial Controls workstreams, ensuring seamless execution of NPI programs. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative automation solutions on time and within...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$83K - $125K *

Drive the operational health of mission-critical Appian environments, ensuring reliability and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage configurations, deployments, and incident...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions by partnering with customers and teams to transform AI and HPC requirements into reliable deployments, driving success through technical depth and collaboration across fun...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $215K *

Design and implement robust data infrastructure to enhance analytics capabilities. Lead the deployment and management of core platform services while mentoring engineers and ensuring compliance and se...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks 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.