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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$87K - $135K *

Drive your career forward by leading systems engineering for a cloud-based enterprise system. Engage in architecture development, integration, and modernization efforts while ensuring security and ope...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as a Mid Systems Engineer, contributing to the full lifecycle of systems engineering projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex technical challenges and ens...

Orlando, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Innovate in mission planning by developing autonomous operations for satellite constellations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, prototype code, and optimize algorithms...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $190K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $175K *

Pioneer secure, scalable backend solutions as a Senior Developer, integrating AI capabilities within AWS GovCloud. Collaborate across teams to enhance enterprise applications and ensure robust securit...

Arlington, VARemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $130K *

Lead the modernization of fire control platforms as an Advanced Systems Engineer, driving cross-functional collaboration and innovative solutions while managing the systems development life cycle and...

Pittsfield, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Empower a high-performing engineering team to build and deliver innovative software solutions. Lead architecture decisions, ensure code quality, and enhance production health while cultivating team gr...

Sacramento, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $160K *

Elevate critical facility operations by providing technical leadership in electrical commissioning. Collaborate with teams to ensure effective testing and validation of complex electrical systems whil...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead the design and management of robust and scalable network infrastructure for hyperscale data centers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high performance and reliability in support...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$82K - $172K *

Lead the charge in ensuring product quality for critical defense programs, overseeing quality management throughout the lifecycle, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving compliance with industry...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead customer engagement through technical discovery and deployment, integrating AI solutions while collaborating with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams. Drive implementation efficiency and bridge...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$160K - $190K *

Deliver strategic assessments and solutions for federal information systems, ensuring compliance with NIST RMF and related standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify security gaps and provid...

Virginia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$116K - $125K *

Elevate cybersecurity measures by designing and implementing robust controls for enterprise applications and infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with federal s...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $196K *

Drive innovation in software engineering by developing cutting-edge cyber tools. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance national defense capabilities while advancing your career in a fast-paced en...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$125K - $150K *

Champion security excellence by driving secure SDLC practices, managing compliance, and leading incident response. Collaborate with DevOps and ensure robust risk management practices to protect vital...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$122K - $227K *

Develop and secure AI/ML evaluation infrastructure, ensuring robust testing and validation of systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security practices and methodologies, driving...

New Jersey, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Drive strategic revenue growth by identifying and capturing new business opportunities in aerospace. Lead complex pursuits, develop executive relationships, and execute account strategies to enhance m...

California, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $140K *

Transform your career by leading cyber risk management initiatives, ensuring compliance, and enhancing security posture for critical data center and cloud services. Collaborate with teams to implement...

Texas, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing enterprise network solutions, mentoring engineers, and managing key projects. Collaborate with clients to enhance their network infrastructure while ensurin...

Tampa, FLRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$242K - $275K *

Lead the charge in developing and deploying robust containerized software, manage CI/CD workflows, and grow a cohesive engineering team to enhance customer security operations and software delivery ac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $216K *

Elevate data integration and engineering efforts to enhance the CMS Fraud Prevention System. Collaborate with teams to design and operate data pipelines, ensuring compliance and security while optimiz...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $200K *

Champion the security design and delivery for hyperscale projects, ensuring comprehensive protection through physical and electronic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish stand...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$150K - $180K *

Drive engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team to design, develop, and scale integrated hardware and software systems, ensuring reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$200K - $230K *

Lead a team that operationalizes advanced AI security solutions for enterprises, ensuring integration and compliance across environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$122K - $174K *

Unlock your potential as you drive the deployment of cutting-edge networking solutions, ensuring exceptional service delivery and customer satisfaction through expert collaboration and proactive issue...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.