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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$110K - $130K *

Lead customer engagement and service delivery in cloud and compliance projects. Manage project lifecycles, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while main...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$169K - $220K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovative software solutions. Collaborate with engineers and healthcare professionals to build systems that enhance patient care and st...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$190K - $220K *

Lead the charge in shaping the go-to-market strategy for innovative data security services, driving customer adoption and engagement through compelling narratives and strategic partnerships across tea...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $193K *

Drive the future of rail engineering by managing complex rolling stock projects. Leverage your expertise in vehicle design and modifications to ensure quality and compliance while mentoring teams and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Drive the design and enhancement of corporate security infrastructure, improving automation and maintaining strong security posture in a cloud environment. Collaborate with teams to implement controls...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$101K - $150K *

Champion client success by leading complex enterprise implementations, managing risks, and ensuring high-quality outcomes. Drive stakeholder engagement and project delivery while fostering strong rela...

Austin, TXRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$148K - $201K *

Empower application teams by integrating, securing, and deploying software in Kubernetes environments. Collaborate across platforms to enhance CI/CD processes and ensure reliable operations, driving i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead and optimize PMO strategies for major aviation and infrastructure programs. Drive governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement while mentoring a high-performing team to ensure project...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$135K - $160K *

Accelerate progress at securing cloud environments by designing robust guardrails and automation. Collaborate with engineering teams to embed security into CI/CD pipelines and ensure compliance across...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $200K *

Lead cross-functional integration of data, analytics, evaluation, and governance to enhance healthcare AI products. Drive roadmap ownership, optimize workflows, ensure data quality, and foster collabo...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$144K - $288K *

Transform enterprise technology by leading modernization initiatives, enhancing engineering practices, and enabling responsible AI adoption across diverse platforms. Collaborate with stakeholders to d...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $190K *

Help us shape the future of AI operations by leading a dynamic team focused on innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and technical excellence in agentic environments. Drive growth and operatio...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $175K *

Engineer your career with a Senior Software Safety Engineer role focused on developing safety-critical autonomous systems. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance software safety process...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Empower mission success by engineering and enhancing unified communications platforms, ensuring seamless voice and collaboration for secure operations. Drive troubleshooting, support implementation, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $160K *

Transform the future of AI by architecting core building blocks for agentic systems, ensuring robust infrastructure and shared primitives that enhance collaboration across teams and drive innovation i...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join our team to tackle complex payroll challenges by building intuitive software solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support thousands of businesses in managing their payroll processes...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of high-speed analog design by leading layout development for complex analog and mixed-signal IP blocks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure first-pass silicon success w...

San Jose, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in high-speed analog layout design for cutting-edge optical communication systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure first-pass silicon success while mentoring junior e...

Irvine, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $201K *

Join us to lead the charge in cybersecurity as a Network Engineer Expert, ensuring robust enterprise network security solutions. Collaborate with teams to tackle complex challenges and drive innovatio...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Elevate your career as a Document Control Supervisor, overseeing site access agreements and collaborating with environmental consulting teams. Utilize your expertise to resolve access needs, manage do...

Long Beach, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Champion effective document control by overseeing site access agreements, resolving access issues, and coordinating with environmental consulting teams. Lead a team while ensuring compliance and effic...

Denver, CORemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team of technical consultants, driving operational excellence and strategic delivery for U.S. Federal clients. Collaborate across departments to ensure success...

Reston, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of high-security software solutions for government clients, ensuring seamless deployment and compliance by integrating innovative technologies in air-gapped environments while col...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform the future of military data management by leading ontology development within enterprise data solutions, ensuring interoperability and semantic accuracy for enhanced decision-making capabili...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$220K - $235K *

Transform the future of cloud security by leading the platform security vision, integrating resilient practices, and mentoring teams to innovate securely, driving collaborative growth and risk reducti...

United StatesRemote

4 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.