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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$190K - $225K *

Transform enterprise cybersecurity programs by leading AI-driven initiatives and modernization efforts. Collaborate with C-suite executives to design and implement comprehensive security roadmaps, enh...

Fairfax, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$212K - $222K *

Champion client success as you lead Aera solution deployments, building trusted relationships with executives to drive value and Decision Intelligence roadmaps while managing project delivery and fost...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Manage day-to-day infrastructure and customer support, ensuring optimal server performance, security, and incident response. Collaborate on initiatives to enhance operational security and maintain doc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $275K *

Elevate technical excellence as the Chief Engineer, guiding multidisciplinary teams to ensure mission success through robust architecture, requirements management, and strategic decision-making in com...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$107K - $204K *

Join our dynamic Digital MES team as a Business Analyst, driving innovative software solutions for manufacturing execution systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational effic...

Connecticut, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Manage a talented engineering team, driving software development and community collaboration while maintaining high-quality standards and executing on ambitious goals effectively. Engage directly with...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Empower the deployment of Siemens Teamcenter across complex PLM environments. In this hands-on role, you'll lead installation, configuration, and administration, ensuring reliable practices and troubl...

Texas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$90K - $92K *

Help us enhance security protocols by developing essential documentation and supporting assessments. Collaborate with a dedicated cyber security team to ensure compliance and effective implementation...

Pittsfield, MARemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $163K *

Lead the charge in safeguarding our organization against evolving cyber threats. As a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, you'll design robust defenses and collaborate across teams to enhance security post...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions as a Senior Business Analyst, driving requirements gathering and Agile processes to enhance custom applications for DHS. Collaborate with teams to streamline operations a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$164K - $189K *

Transform cloud environments by architecting and supporting multi-cloud solutions. Leverage your expertise in AWS and identity management to ensure seamless service delivery and customer satisfaction...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $175K *

Champion innovative structural design for mission-critical data centers, focusing on prefabricated and modular construction. Lead technical strategy, establish design standards, and ensure safety and...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by ensuring the stability and performance of core network systems. Collaborate on innovative projects while using your expertise in Linux and network troubleshooting to support cri...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $145K *

Transform the future of AI systems by building robust data pipelines and APIs. Collaborate with Product to refine specifications and enhance user experience, ensuring high-quality delivery and continu...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $200K *

Empower our security operations by designing and implementing advanced automation workflows. Lead a team in creating innovative solutions that enhance threat detection and response, while mentoring ju...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $204K *

Drive financial excellence by managing a $600M budget and $10B in receipts. Collaborate across teams to enhance operational efficiency and deliver insightful analysis, ensuring the financial health of...

East Hartford, CTRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$97K - $185K *

Drive strategic sourcing and supplier management for IT software, optimizing procurement processes and ensuring compliance while fostering strong supplier relationships and delivering value across the...

Palo Alto, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $135K *

Unlock excellence in PCB design and manufacturing by leading DFM initiatives, developing complex multilayer layouts, and shaping best practices across engineering teams to enhance product performance...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$167K - $183K *

Lead the charge in optimizing G&A technology solutions, enhancing business processes through AI and automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive efficiency and compliance, ensuring scalable grow...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by joining a cross-functional team to design and implement scalable AI workflows on a multi-cloud data platform, ensuring secure data governance and integration for enterprise applica...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$105K - $155K *

Join a team that's dedicated to safeguarding critical systems through expert security management. Leverage your RMF knowledge to ensure compliance, drive remediation, and maintain robust security post...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in delivering outstanding technical support and case management for complex escalated issues, ensuring customer success and trust while collaborating with teams to provide timely, high...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Join our team as a Principal Security Engineer, where you'll design and enhance security solutions, shape strategy, and lead initiatives to protect enterprise assets while mentoring junior engineers a...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $125K *

Elevate product strategy and delivery by leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs and mission-critical outcomes in a fully remote environment...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 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.