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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$131K - $160K *

Elevate your career as a Technical Product Owner, bridging business goals with engineering execution across Salesforce and integrated systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the GT...

Austin, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Champion a high-performing engineering team, guiding their growth while actively contributing to software development. Collaborate across functions to align goals and foster an inclusive culture, driv...

Columbus, OHRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of healthcare by leading complex architectural and facility projects, ensuring optimal client service and regulatory compliance throughout all project phases while guiding multidiscip...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$115K - $120K *

Elevate software quality by managing test planning, execution, and reporting. Collaborate with development teams, mentor junior testers, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards while drivin...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead the design and development of core features for a cutting-edge security platform, collaborating across teams to enhance cross-platform capabilities and drive innovation in endpoint protection...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $230K *

Elevate your career by designing and governing AI-native systems, translating complex requirements into scalable solutions, and mentoring engineers within a dynamic team focused on impactful customer...

New York, NYRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $195K *

Innovate robust CI/CD pipelines and secure Kubernetes environments, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance delivery processes in mission-cri...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$177K - $319K *

Lead the development and execution of commissioning plans for large-scale data centers across multiple campuses in the Americas. Drive best practices globally, manage vendor relationships, and ensure...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate team performance by leading a Scrum team in developing and modernizing enterprise SaaS applications. Guide technical decisions, mentor engineers, and foster collaboration across departments to...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$200K - $275K *

Partner with us to drive technical solutions for enterprise clients, showcasing product value through demos and proof-of-concept activities. Collaborate with sales and technical teams to enhance custo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by leading strategic product marketing initiatives, managing high-impact projects, and collaborating cross-functionally to drive value propositions in enterprise technology, includ...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $130K *

Transform your career by designing and delivering complex full-stack solutions using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate with teams to enhance engineering quality and lead technical initiative...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$130K - $160K *

Drive the future of structural engineering by leading complex capital projects, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring technical excellence across diverse markets, particularly in healthcare. Collaborat...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Optimize procurement processes by leading sourcing initiatives, conducting analyses, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure effective IT solutions that align with organizational goals...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join our team to lead sourcing strategies and enhance supplier performance in a dynamic electronics manufacturing environment. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to navigate supply challenges and d...

Austin, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Drive procurement excellence by analyzing data, managing suppliers, and optimizing sourcing strategies to enhance cost, quality, and delivery in a dynamic environment...

Merrimack, NHRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Develop and implement sourcing strategies for indirect products and services, collaborating with internal stakeholders to optimize supplier relationships and drive value. Lead proposal and contract ma...

Falls Church, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping procurement excellence in a billion-dollar business area. Oversee cradle-to-grave procurement activities, lead a diverse team, and enhance supplier relationships to optimize...

Austin, TXRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$192K - $266K *

Drive best-in-class travel support through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Oversee lodging, flights, and customer advocacy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exception...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate solutions in software development, driving impactful changes across applications and frameworks. Lead initiatives to enhance functionality, ensure quality, and optimize performance in e-comme...

Indiana, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$144K - $288K *

Lead the charge in transforming customer identity platforms, driving modernization and operational excellence while overseeing a multi-team engineering organization to enhance security and customer en...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$57K - $104K *

Transform cloud infrastructure by supporting AWS operations, automation, and modernization. Collaborate with senior engineers to enhance security, troubleshoot issues, and improve processes while deve...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$107K - $204K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced materials modeling tools for gas turbine engines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and drive innovatio...

East Hartford, CTRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$171K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$158K - $199K *

Lead the charge in driving client success through strategic account management and sales leadership. Cultivate relationships with C-level executives while developing innovative solutions for global ac...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.