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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$120K - $145K *

Partner with us to drive innovative mechanical design solutions for Navy missile systems. Leverage your expertise in complex programs to lead design analysis and collaborate with diverse teams, ensuri...

Indiana, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $175K *

Join a dynamic engineering team as a Senior Technical Advisor, providing strategic guidance on emerging technologies and systems integration while supporting Agile program execution and modernization...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving project excellence by leading a diverse group of Project Managers. You'll optimize resources, enhance delivery outcomes, and foster high performance across critical VA initi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Lead governance initiatives in a multi-cloud environment, managing a team to secure and optimize cloud operations. Oversee compliance, develop policies, and optimize costs while ensuring alignment wit...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive operational excellence by enhancing reliability and performance of a SaaS platform. Collaborate with development teams to implement automation, incident management, and observability practices...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $251K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of software development by enhancing DevSecOps capabilities. Collaborate with customers to automate processes and deliver innovative solutions in a dynamic enviro...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$106K - $198K *

Accelerate progress at the intersection of data and technology, transforming complex data into actionable insights. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement innovative data solutions that...

Georgia, USRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$228K - $423K *

Lead the charge in advancing national cybersecurity initiatives, overseeing program execution and stakeholder engagement. Drive strategic objectives into actionable plans while ensuring technical perf...

Colorado Springs, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $190K *

Transform your career by managing data center acquisitions and infrastructure transactions. Drive negotiations, provide legal guidance, and support operational transitions, while deepening expertise i...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Optimize the verification of embedded software within aviation systems. Collaborate closely across teams to enhance safety and compliance, ensuring robust performance on flight hardware and complete i...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $115K *

Elevate team performance and delivery by leading a technical group, setting clear expectations, providing mentorship, and managing project needs while ensuring quality and employee development in a dy...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead network engineering efforts to enhance tactical capabilities in air defense systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure secure information exchange and compliance across all phase...

Huntsville, ALRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $225K *

Lead and mentor a dynamic Security Operations team, overseeing incident response and SOC improvements while driving hands-on investigations and AI-assisted workflows to enhance security posture and op...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of AI integration by leading complex projects, bridging technical teams and leadership. Drive Agile methodologies, manage risks, and ensure timely deliverables in a dynamic environmen...

Virginia, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $252K *

Transform national security oversight by leading AI engineering initiatives that enhance investigative and audit operations within government settings, leveraging enterprise AI solutions to shape stra...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $200K *

Champion parts engineering and reliability assurance for space missions. Lead selection, qualification, and reliability analysis of components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure miss...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Help us drive project success by managing AV integration projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while fostering collaboration within...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $250K *

Lead the charge in our cybersecurity operations, overseeing teams and strategies to enhance effective security monitoring and incident response while ensuring top-notch service delivery across diverse...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $125K *

Unlock potential by managing equipment logistics and support activities across diverse environments, ensuring operational readiness through precise inventory control and effective communication with t...

Williamsburg, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$111K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and integration of advanced electrical control systems. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance efficiency and mentor junior members while ensuring proj...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$106K - $198K *

Lead the transformation of 1LMX product solutions across the enterprise, collaborating with stakeholders to align capabilities with business needs, manage risks, and ensure successful deployment while...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead a team of network engineers to design, implement, and secure cloud and hybrid network infrastructures, ensuring reliability and scalability while mentoring staff and driving process improvements...

Tallahassee, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead and inspire a skilled agile team focused on the ServiceNow Platform, ensuring efficient delivery of enterprise service management solutions while collaborating with stakeholders to prioritize and...

Wilmington, DERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading complex IT task orders, ensuring timely implementation of technical solutions while collaborating with government officials and managing project teams effectively...

Fort Belvoir, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Architect robust AI infrastructure to detect and mitigate emerging threats. Drive innovation in data ingestion and model tuning while managing complex pipelines in a high-stakes environment that evolv...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.