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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$130K - $170K *

Lead the evolution of our design system by building accessible, reusable components and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and streamline adoption across products...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$107K - $204K *

Lead the transformation of supply chain systems by optimizing SAP applications, collaborating with teams to enhance operational efficiency, and ensuring alignment with business objectives across domes...

Connecticut, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's redefining technical support for enterprise customers. You'll own escalations, advocate for clients, and build scalable processes while collaborating with engineering to enhance our...

San Francisco, CARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $167K *

Manage safety protocols across nationwide data center job sites, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and corporate standards. Lead inspections, audits, and training initiatives to promote a c...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$170K - $250K *

Lead the charge in building high-throughput systems as you manage a team of engineers. Drive technical excellence and team growth while collaborating across functions to deliver innovative solutions i...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Champion customer satisfaction by executing maintenance and service solutions, coordinating logistics and support activities, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence in a dyn...

Miami, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Champion customer service excellence by managing maintenance activities and solutions on-site. Leverage technical expertise to enhance support for diverse services, ensuring effective execution and ti...

Miami, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$145K - $175K *

Accelerate your career by architecting innovative IT operations solutions. Lead the design and implementation of advanced ServiceNow capabilities, ensuring high accuracy and integration across enterpr...

Illinois, USRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $110K *

Solve complex production challenges and ensure system stability as a key technical support resource. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance customer satisfaction through effective incident manageme...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $140K *

Partner with us to enhance cloud security across AWS and GCP environments. Engage in system hardening, vulnerability remediation, and incident response while collaborating with a team of experts to en...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$148K - $200K *

Champion innovative electrical design for mission-critical facilities. Lead complex projects, mentor teams, and enhance efficiency through technology. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project s...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$137K - $160K *

Engineer secure and resilient multi-cloud environments while collaborating with product teams. Adapt designs to support rapid change in a late-stage startup, ensuring safety and performance in AI-driv...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $260K *

Join as a key leader to develop and optimize a comprehensive Quality Management Program across complex manufacturing projects, ensuring top-tier quality standards and fostering relationships with clie...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Oversee and lead a technical services team, ensuring efficient 24x7 network operations and advanced troubleshooting of IT systems. Drive quality and improve processes while actively engaging with both...

Virginia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative Microsoft-based platforms, driving modernization and AI integration while ensuring robust, scalable, and secure solutions in a highly regulate...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $280K *

Elevate your career by driving AI strategy and development across the enterprise. Collaborate in rapid sprints to implement cutting-edge AI systems, enhance security practices, and contribute to a dyn...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative remedial systems design solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership and strategic direction for diverse environmental p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$86K - $165K *

Accelerate your career by joining our team to design and manage cloud infrastructure solutions. Collaborate on innovative projects, enhance operational efficiency, and support a diverse range of appli...

California, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Transform the engineering landscape by leading teams to innovate AI-assisted software development, ensuring timely delivery of next-gen products while enhancing existing offerings. Drive strategic exe...

New Germany, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$87K - $160K *

Unlock potential by leading strategic PLM engagements, transforming systems, and guiding clients through complex landscapes. Collaborate across teams to design scalable architectures that align with e...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$140K - $200K *

Join a team that drives mission success in aerospace program management, overseeing the entire payload lifecycle from planning to execution. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and governm...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $260K *

Transform aircraft capabilities by integrating weapons and payloads. Collaborate with design teams to create innovative solutions, ensuring compliance with military standards while supporting testing...

Seattle, WARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$285K - $320K *

Lead the charge in delivering Honeycomb Private Cloud, driving product growth, and collaborating across teams to enhance operational processes while building a high-performing engineering team to supp...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $227K *

Drive innovation in cybersecurity by leading the development of agent capabilities within our Security Operations Center, enhancing threat detection, response, and operational efficiency while ensurin...

Santa Ana, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Transform customer experiences by leading solution discovery and deployment for enterprise software. Collaborate with Fortune 500 clients to operationalize innovative solutions, ensuring quality and e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.