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 - $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

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in optimizing systems for student academic planning, ensuring reliability during peak loads while pioneering innovative, career-oriented pathways and registration experiences for highe...

San Mateo, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$168K - $333K *

Empower business growth by leading the security infrastructure for hybrid cloud and on-prem network systems. You'll ensure compliance, enhance threat mitigation, and innovate security strategies while...

Santa Clara, CARemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$105K - $155K *

Shape project success by leading engineering efforts, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within scope...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$209K - $273K *

Grow your career with a technical leadership role tackling complex challenges while mentoring others and collaborating on impactful projects across multiple engineering teams, elevating standards and...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$77K - $118K *

Elevate your drafting career by collaborating in a dynamic team, utilizing advanced CAD tools, and gaining hands-on experience in 3D design. Contribute to innovative projects that shape the future of...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$89K - $107K *

Partner with us to enhance map quality for autonomous vehicles, ensuring high-definition geospatial datasets meet rigorous standards for accuracy and safety. Collaborate across teams to develop effect...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in architecting innovative End User Computing solutions, collaborating with account teams and clients to drive strategy, deliver presentations, and enhance customer experiences while e...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join us to empower enterprise customers with innovative sourcing solutions, manage complex RFPs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive procurement success while leveraging cutting-edge...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $199K *

Champion the deployment and optimization of GPU-accelerated HPC systems, collaborating with clients to deliver cutting-edge AI solutions. Leverage your expertise in performance tuning and benchmarking...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$153K - $199K *

Champion innovative HPC and GenAI solutions by deploying and optimizing GPU systems. Engage directly with clients to deliver cutting-edge infrastructure, ensuring high performance and reliability acro...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$155K - $170K *

Join a dynamic team to drive OEM integrations, ensuring technical excellence and partner success. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver scalable solutions and enhance product alignment, while mana...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$119K - $186K *

Engage with health systems to drive strategic projects, enhance pharmacy solutions, and deliver impactful consulting services while mentoring and collaborating with clients to achieve transformative h...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing a dynamic OS Administrator team, ensuring seamless RHEL and Windows OS patching in a 24/7 environment while leveraging automation tools and collaborating with cross-functio...

Reston, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the development of innovative observability solutions, leveraging your expertise in Go and network protocols to enhance network automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of business development by leading capture strategies and execution for high-value federal opportunities. Collaborate across teams to drive successful proposals and contract awards, e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $120K *

Shape the future of cybersecurity by analyzing North Korean threats and providing actionable intelligence. Collaborate with experts to uncover insights that drive strategic decisions and enhance secur...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $230K *

Engineer scalable AI platforms to identify and address vulnerabilities in production code. Collaborate closely with security and product teams to enhance application security through automated workflo...

Florida, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive strategic capture initiatives to expand federal market presence, managing the full lifecycle from opportunity qualification to proposal submission. Collaborate with leadership and teams to devel...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$106K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as you contribute to scalable software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance assessment systems. Gain hands-on experience in modern development practice...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

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

$125K - $225K *

Oversee complex industrial construction projects, ensuring safety, quality, and timely completion. Lead multidisciplinary teams, manage contractor performance, and coordinate with stakeholders to achi...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$90K - $110K *

Drive the administration and enhancement of Nagios XI monitoring systems, ensuring optimal performance and coverage across diverse environments. Collaborate with IT teams to identify gaps and implemen...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$202K - $318K *

Accelerate progress at our AI-driven platform by leading a high-performing engineering team. Oversee technical direction, manage people, and ensure quality to deliver impactful agent experiences acros...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $185K *

Drive technical excellence by developing standards and processes for commissioning, ensuring consistent execution across projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workforce capabili...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $175K *

Grow expertise in Operational Technology security, leading critical engagements across industrial systems. Collaborate on advanced methodologies while mentoring others and contributing to pivotal rese...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.