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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$100K *

Take ownership of product health and growth by directing AI coding agents, ensuring quality and efficiency in production. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful changes while maintaining document...

Eugene, ORRemote

3 days ago

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

$104K - $166K *

Champion cloud reliability by designing Python-based AWS solutions and engineering tools. Leverage Infrastructure-as-Code with Terraform to enhance platform reliability and automate processes across t...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $250K *

Join us in shaping technical strategies and growth initiatives for federal opportunities. Collaborate across teams to develop compelling solutions that drive success in complex pursuits, ensuring alig...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $160K *

Lead the charge in designing and supporting critical technical infrastructure, collaborating across teams to implement innovative solutions, optimize performance, and mentor junior engineers while dri...

Georgia, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$174K - $235K *

Unlock potential by building and maintaining capacity forecasts to guide investment decisions. Collaborate across teams to ensure timely delivery and optimize resource allocation while mentoring peers...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$195K - $362K *

Transform complex customer needs into scalable solutions by leading technical deployments, integrations, and automation. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive value and enhance operational efficiency...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$176K - $282K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative solutions for complex Federal programs. Collaborate with senior stakeholders to design cloud-native architectures and AI/ML integrations that drive impactful...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Drive successful implementation of MiraCloud solutions, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence. Lead project management practices, oversee teams, and foster relationships to achieve t...

Indiana, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Champion the successful implementation of MiraCloud solutions, ensuring client satisfaction and operational excellence. Lead project management practices, oversee teams, and drive profitability while...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $231K *

Drive offensive security initiatives by leading penetration testing and red-team efforts. Own complex technical engagements, ensuring robust assessments and impactful remediation strategies for federa...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $173K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining ServiceNow architecture, delivering innovative solutions and driving technical excellence across enterprise projects. Leverage your expertise in ServiceNow to influence c...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$80K - $95K *

Engage in security compliance audits and program management, ensuring clients are audit-ready. Collaborate with internal teams and clients to enhance security practices, translating complex concepts i...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $160K *

Advance your career by solving complex automation challenges using AI. Collaborate closely with business teams to create effective agents that streamline operations, leveraging your expertise in LLM a...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$75K - $90K *

Lead the charge in enhancing integration processes by analyzing, documenting, and supporting seamless data exchanges with external ATS partners, driving efforts towards scalability and efficiency acro...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$92K - $154K *

Oversee the coordination of network infrastructure deployment for new Data Center builds, ensuring alignment across teams and tracking milestones from cable start to Production Ready. Drive accountabi...

Colorado, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's revolutionizing enterprise architecture strategy, leading cross-disciplinary teams to align technology and business objectives. Drive innovation while ensuring compliance and qualit...

Chattanooga, TNRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Drive platform architecture and strategy, owning scalable production environments. Lead cross-team collaboration, mentor engineers, and advocate for DevSecOps practices while solving complex technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's dedicated to protecting digital assets by designing and implementing innovative cybersecurity solutions. Collaborate with leadership and mentor peers while navigating a dynamic envi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Transform the infrastructure for a groundbreaking healthcare platform by optimizing cloud solutions, implementing CI/CD, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance clinical AI/ML offerin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure solutions on Azure, focusing on Kubernetes and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production services, ensuring high availabil...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by driving AI-powered workflows from conception to deployment. Engage with strategic partners and large enterprises to translate complex operations into reusable systems that enhance...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $210K *

Unlock your potential by designing and optimizing Elastic Stack environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and reliability while driving innovation in cloud an...

Fort Belvoir, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $120K *

Shape innovative engineering solutions as you lead complex projects, focusing on low to medium voltage power systems in industrial settings. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor junior e...

Warrenville, ILRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Solve complex challenges as a Senior SCADA Engineer, designing intuitive automation graphics for advanced control systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance project outcomes and mentor junior...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.