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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$90K - $110K *

Join us to ensure the effectiveness of our GTM systems. You will maintain and optimize CRM configurations, data flows, and governance while supporting teams in navigating technical solutions for our e...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $275K *

Unlock potential by defining and driving the technical vision and product strategy for Next-Gen SIEM and Log Management products, ensuring alignment with market needs and customer motivations while fo...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive field engineering excellence by installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting cutting-edge hardware systems. Collaborate with teams to enhance product design and ensure reliable operations in dyn...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$125K - $150K *

Engineer transformative solutions by integrating cutting-edge APIs into enterprise systems. Collaborate closely with clients to deploy production software efficiently while leveraging modern AI tools...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$138K - $184K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of mission critical facilities by leading electrical design projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure high availability and efficiency in data center inf...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the enhancement of finance systems in a dynamic environment, focusing on optimizing NetSuite and integrating additional solutions. This role involves strategy, system configuration, and process i...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Unlock your potential by developing innovative control systems for diverse industries. Collaborate with clients to solve complex manufacturing challenges through automation and controls, ensuring effi...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Lead and manage diverse cybersecurity programs, ensuring timely delivery and client success through effective communication and strategic planning. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance service qua...

British Columbia, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $166K *

Pioneer your career in transmission engineering, leading major EPC projects while driving innovation and technology development. Shape processes and tools that enhance project delivery and client sati...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$170K - $185K *

Champion innovative software solutions by leading complex projects, mentoring engineers, and driving technical excellence across teams. Collaborate on strategic initiatives to enhance reliability and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$166K - $187K *

Champion program operations by overseeing business development, quality, logistics, and financial performance. Collaborate with clients and manage resources to enhance efficiency and drive new busines...

Columbia, SCRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$171K - $300K *

Champion the evolution of a high-volume data platform, collaborating with engineering and product teams to enhance reliability and efficiency while mentoring senior engineers and driving innovative AI...

San Diego, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Drive the development of critical enterprise applications for defense personnel, utilizing Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate in an agile team to enhance program and financial management tool...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$123K - $205K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and evolution of complex CICS infrastructure solutions that underpin critical enterprise operations, leveraging your expertise to enhance performance and drive i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $160K *

Deliver impactful financial management solutions by leading a team of 8-10 professionals in federal financial systems. Engage with stakeholders to analyze data, support decision-making, and ensure suc...

Arlington, VARemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $251K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI governance by leading the development of scalable, trustworthy data solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure responsible AI practi...

New York, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in technical excellence by independently managing complex DDC implementations, mentoring junior engineers, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in mission-critical data cente...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$155K - $200K *

Engage as a Senior Backend Software Engineer, driving innovation in Go-based backend systems and contributing to the OpenTDF project, ensuring data security solutions for enterprise and federal client...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Advance your career by managing audio visual projects from inception to completion, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction while collaborating with diverse teams and overseeing logistics...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$320K - $405K *

Unlock your potential by driving large-scale compute capacity deployments in partner-operated data centers. Manage hardware installations, collaborate with vendors, and optimize processes while ensuri...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $135K *

Drive operational excellence by building and validating data products that empower manufacturing leaders. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate metrics and insights, enhancing pro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $190K *

Explore strategic leadership in mechanical engineering, guiding a team of experts to innovate and deliver top-tier data center solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape engineering standards...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead the charge in managing AWS co-sell relationships, driving demand generation, and executing strategies to close deals. Collaborate with AWS account teams and ScaleOps AEs to optimize pipeline perf...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$134K - $199K *

Elevate your career as you design and operate large-scale cloud services for a cutting-edge scanning engine. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and mentor engineers in a dy...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$170K - $220K *

Take ownership of the entire algorithm development lifecycle. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to design, implement, and optimize machine learning models for analyzing biosignal data in heal...

Boston, MARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.