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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$142K - $186K *

Pioneer a data-driven culture by designing scalable ELT pipelines and analytics models. Collaborate across teams to ensure product data integrity and empower stakeholders with self-service insights, d...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $90K *

Elevate the future of U.S. Coast Guard acquisitions by managing configuration processes for the Waterways Commerce Cutter. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and accuracy in documentation and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $164K *

Lead our cybersecurity and governance initiatives, enhancing security operations and risk management while driving compliance with CMMC 2.0 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Collaborate across teams to imp...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $120K *

Lead the charge in administering and supporting Microsoft cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring seamless operations and project coordination for Microsoft 365 implementations while enhancing us...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$107K - $204K *

Join us to develop and maintain advanced HR data architecture in Snowflake. Lead data governance and ensure high-quality data through optimized ETL/ELT processes while collaborating with cross-functio...

Farmington, CTRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Grow your career with a leading AI inference platform, optimizing GPU performance and collaborating with teams to enhance execution. Drive innovation in low-level coding and hardware integration for c...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Innovate the future of digital experiences by leading architectural strategies and solving complex technical challenges across multiple teams. Drive impactful solutions that enhance customer engagemen...

Las Vegas, NVRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$73K - $102K *

Grow as a quality consultant driving non-conformance management and continuous improvement initiatives in aerospace manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$87K - $157K *

Transform healthcare data processing by designing and developing robust backend services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI and machine learning, ensuring reliable, standards-bas...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$186K - $232K *

Contribute to enterprise sales success by delivering tailored technical solutions, supporting complex customer engagements, and driving new opportunities with a focus on data security and management t...

Boston, MARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$171K - $202K *

Drive the creation and oversight of a risk framework that balances growth with security. Partner with cross-functional teams to implement risk strategies operationally, while conveying insights to exe...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $110K *

Join a team that's advancing project success through Agile leadership and stakeholder engagement. As a vital contributor, you'll manage requirements and optimize workflows while collaborating with cro...

Virginia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $225K *

Transform engineering culture by empowering teams to excel, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation. Leverage your technical acumen to lead strategic initiatives and elevate team performance w...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$140K - $158K *

Partner with us to enhance design systems by building shared components and patterns. Collaborate with designers and engineers to create accessible, user-friendly interfaces that elevate product exper...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Champion growth strategies across defense IT and ISR systems, building senior relationships and managing opportunities at Wright-Patterson AFB. Drive innovation in C2 modernization and lead proposal d...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $176K *

Empower loan officers by ensuring a seamless user experience across multiple platforms. As a key player in product management, gather insights, drive development, and strategize for future growth in a...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Transform PCB design processes in a dynamic environment, collaborating with engineers and contractors to ensure high-quality, high-speed digital and mixed signal PCB layouts that meet stringent requir...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$185K - $230K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, driving innovative AI solutions and enhancing performance across complex workflows. Collaborate with diverse teams to shape the future of A...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$89K - $120K *

Optimize system stability and usability by managing configuration changes in the PATH EHR environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable operations and support clinical users...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $150K *

Elevate your career by leading security and compliance initiatives in a dynamic healthcare SaaS environment. Drive key programs, manage audits, and partner with cross-functional teams to ensure regula...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Lead the evolution of our GTM Systems Architecture, enhancing Salesforce and its tech stack for AI-native workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build a trusted data foundation and driv...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$229K - $260K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing a robust OTA update system, ensuring seamless deployment across diverse environments while mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence in distrib...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive cybersecurity excellence by leading a dedicated team in 24/7 operations, overseeing investigations, enhancing team performance, and fostering continuous improvement in security processes and inc...

Tennessee, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Manage the delivery strategy for a critical telehealth product, ensuring alignment with VA goals. Collaborate with stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams to enhance virtual care for Veterans, dr...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Shape the future of procurement by optimizing MRO and consumables management. Lead strategic sourcing and supplier relationships across multiple sites while driving cost savings, compliance, and opera...

Falls Church, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.