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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$115K - $145K *

Lead the charge in maintaining and enhancing unattended ground sensors for border security operations, ensuring optimal performance through inspections, technical support, and collaboration with team...

Mclean, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Drive complex federal platform initiatives, enhancing security, compliance, and infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions and cross-functional leadership...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading the administration and engineering of Microsoft infrastructure, ensuring security and compliance across Microsoft 365, Azure Government, and endpoint management. Drive impr...

Washington, DCRemote

Today

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

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to lead complex interconnection studies and provide expertise in transmission planning. Collaborate with clients and staff to innovate solutions that shape the future of energy acr...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Partner with us to lead technical service delivery for complex accounts, guiding solution design and lifecycle management. Build strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring strategic alignment an...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and implementing advanced behavior planning systems. Collaborate with experts to tackle complex challenges in dynamic environme...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$130K - $155K *

Drive the innovation of behavior planning systems for autonomous vehicles, owning key design and implementation tasks while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure peak performance in dyna...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$106K - $159K *

Transform regulatory strategies by providing CMC expertise to support product development and compliance in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment, ensuring quality and adherence to global standards thr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$171K - $288K *

Transform engineering productivity by leading cross-team strategies and architectures for embedded software. Drive measurable improvements in quality and release confidence while mentoring teams acros...

Milford, MIRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by collaborating with clients to design and deploy AI-driven solutions. This role blends engineering and client engagement, enabling you to tackle complex challenges and deliver...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $285K *

Unlock potential by leading technical capture initiatives that align engineering solutions with customer needs. Collaborate across teams to develop compelling proposals and enhance business growth thr...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$95K - $115K *

Champion security excellence by leading initiatives to enhance IT solutions, ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information assets while driving secure business growth throug...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $230K *

Drive impactful AI threat research marketing by transforming technical insights into compelling narratives. Collaborate with experts to enhance Cyera's authority and visibility in data security, while...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $230K *

Drive modernization by leading DevSecOps strategies for cloud transformation. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance automation, security, and delivery practices, ensuring reliable and scalable solu...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $179K *

Pioneer innovative cloud architecture solutions, leading modernization initiatives by integrating legacy systems into scalable environments while ensuring compliance and performance excellence across...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Take ownership of complex contract management, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment while advising on contractual matters and mitigating risks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive...

Connecticut, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Join a dynamic team as you manage complex government contracts, ensuring compliance and fostering strong relationships. Utilize your negotiation skills to support the P&C Mil Spares EPS aftermarket bu...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $130K *

Champion customer success by designing and optimizing scalable programs that enhance adoption of identity security solutions, ensuring impactful training and resources for customer-facing teams...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $252K *

Drive the design and integration of Oracle Cloud solutions for federal HCM modernization, transforming technical strategies into robust architectures while overseeing development teams to ensure succe...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $500K+*

Deliver innovative mechanical designs for AI compute systems, enhancing data center capabilities. Collaborate on all facets of product development, ensuring high-quality assembly and performance throu...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$190K - $215K *

Transform cloud-based engineering strategies as you lead teams in creating innovative AI-powered automation solutions, ensuring quality and scalability while promoting a dynamic and collaborative cult...

Lehi, UTRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $213K *

Take ownership of a customer-facing product area, driving strategy and execution. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance user experience, leverage AI, and achieve key performance metrics while deli...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$78K - $105K *

Shape your career with this multifaceted role, providing expert Level 2-3 product support while collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues and enhance product experience for...

Vancouver, BCRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Champion the evolution of our billing systems by leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive strategy, ensure accuracy, and collaborate across departments to enhance customer trust as we scale our usage...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $158K *

Shape the future of federal data integration by leveraging Oracle EBS expertise to create actionable insights and advanced dashboards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and enhance government da...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week 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.