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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$69K - $103K *

Join a dynamic team as you drive customer satisfaction through timely maintenance and support for advanced medical equipment, collaborating with experienced engineers to enhance your skills and contri...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$130K - $175K *

Join a team that's transforming cloud infrastructure with innovative DevSecOps strategies. As a key contributor, you'll secure and manage Kubernetes environments while ensuring seamless deployment pip...

Arlington, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $110K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional field service support for imaging equipment. This role involves extensive travel, advanced troubleshooting, and mentoring junior engineers to ensure top-tier...

South Carolina, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$70K - $110K *

Drive your career with a dynamic organization as you manage project finance, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance. Collaborate across teams to enhance contract effectiveness and suppor...

Mclean, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$124K - $145K *

Drive high-level analytical support for U.S. Government trade initiatives, conducting in-depth research on policy, supply chains, and economic security while preparing actionable insights for senior s...

Washington, DCRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Drive the technical vision for mobile app development, mentoring a team while ensuring high-quality releases and innovative solutions aligned with public safety missions. Work on complex Android archi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $95K *

Shape the future of supply chain management by driving compliance and efficiency in procurement processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support government contracting activities and ensu...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of building operations by optimizing BAS effectiveness and energy management. Oversee service contracts, upgrades, and troubleshooting to ensure system reliability and enhance occupan...

Washington DC, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$109K - $164K *

Drive advanced digital forensics and incident response initiatives while mentoring a skilled engineering team. Leverage deep technical knowledge to enhance operational capabilities and ensure exceptio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $110K *

Empower project success through effective coordination and communication, ensuring client satisfaction and project completion on time and within budget. Be a key player in managing diverse teams and r...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$250K - $300K *

Join a team that's shaping the brand and product experience. You'll create visually compelling designs, develop marketing materials, and collaborate with engineers to enhance our product in a fast-pac...

Mexico, MORemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $285K *

Lead the implementation of global PLM/PDM systems, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance supply chain processes and support a Tier 1 ERP buildout, ensuring scalability and efficiency across inte...

San Francisco, CARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $251K *

Pioneer innovative technology strategies and architectural solutions across Agile teams, driving AI-enabled engineering transformation and ensuring scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions for ent...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity through advanced analysis and response. This role involves monitoring, investigating, and improving security operations in a dynamic 24/7 enviro...

Tennessee, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $145K *

Optimize large-scale production systems by designing and maintaining robust infrastructure solutions. Contribute technical expertise to enhance server deployment and automate workflows, ensuring seaml...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $141K *

Join us to design and develop high-performance mechanical solutions for airborne systems. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative aviation technologies that empower defense operations and enhan...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion customer solutions by rapidly prototyping and deploying AI-driven applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product capabilities and drive adoption, ensuring impactful...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$164K - $295K *

Optimize the delivery of advanced server rack solutions by leading cross-functional teams, managing complex hardware programs, and ensuring alignment with hyperscale data center requirements for next...

Austin, TXRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$157K - $298K *

Join a team that's committed to operational excellence through leadership of the Enterprise Quality Audit team, driving compliance, continuous improvement, and quality governance across business units...

California, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $145K *

Lead the development of advanced geospatial systems by integrating software, algorithms, and data processing for remote sensing and signal processing applications, ensuring seamless interaction across...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$114K - $154K *

Champion the structural design and analysis of solid rocket motors, leading integration and verification efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with engineering specific...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $183K *

Empower your career by leading large-scale health system projects, managing complex initiatives, and guiding teams to achieve strategic goals. Collaborate with senior leaders to drive impactful outcom...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Reimagine AI systems by designing, building, and operating robust workflows that integrate complex models and tools, ensuring reliability and scalability in production environments while addressing un...

Irvine, CARemote

Today

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

$150K - $170K *

Lead the charge in delivering high-impact project management services, overseeing a remote PMO team to ensure alignment with organizational goals, while driving stakeholder communication and adapting...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing next-gen data platforms, driving strategic insights and AI solutions. Oversee data architecture, governance, and quality, while mentoring a high-performing team to foster...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.