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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1
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$117K - $195K *

Transform ServiceNow solutions by designing, developing, and deploying customized applications. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and optimize performance across various modules while...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $263K *

Join a team that's dedicated to developing innovative ServiceNow solutions, enhancing system performance, and ensuring compliance with federal security frameworks while collaborating with stakeholders...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in ensuring seamless deployment of enterprise-grade infrastructure by integrating, testing, and validating complex systems in a controlled lab environment, enabling rapid field activat...

La Plata, MDRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$128K - $214K *

Empower cross-functional teams to deliver complex technical programs, ensuring alignment with business goals. Lead planning, execution, and stakeholder communication while fostering a collaborative en...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Optimize your career by leading innovative ServiceNow solutions, engaging with the community, and mentoring teams to enhance business development and strategic growth in a dynamic environment...

Arlington, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead strategic initiatives for high-value accounts, driving new business growth by leveraging deep client relationships and insights. Master internal methodologies to enhance customer satisfaction, re...

Alberta, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $150K *

Lead the charge in applying human-centered design to enhance digital solutions for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, translating user needs into innovative, accessible experiences supported by...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$172K - $229K *

Lead the charge in designing and validating complex systems for autonomous vehicle performance, ensuring seamless integration between software, operations, and customer interfaces to support the launc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$144K - $184K *

Engage with major regional accounts to drive strategy and new business growth. Build executive relationships, manage account satisfaction, and leverage Gartner's sales methodology to achieve quota and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$144K - $184K *

Join a team that's driving strategic growth by managing key accounts, fostering executive relationships, and delivering tailored solutions to enhance client satisfaction and retention while achieving...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$88K - $135K *

Elevate assessment innovation by leading AI-driven solutions for item development. Collaborate across programs, implement efficient workflows, and ensure quality in educational assessments while drivi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$94K - $141K *

Join a dynamic team to oversee supplier quality assurance, manage compliance, and engage in supplier evaluations. Leverage your expertise to ensure product integrity while collaborating directly with...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$157K - $283K *

Lead the charge in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, managing client relationships, overseeing construction management efforts, and ensuring program success through strategic planning an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$151K - $211K *

Architect transformative solutions by leading strategic pre-sales efforts, analyzing customer needs, and defining technical direction for enterprise infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance g...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $220K *

Transform LLM inference efficiency by leading the performance measurement, diagnosis, and enhancement efforts to optimize customer experience through cost-effective and speedy solutions in a hands-on...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive sustained growth as a key commercial leader by executing innovative revenue strategies, generating new client opportunities, and expanding market presence in the evolving data center and AI infr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $140K *

Pioneer innovative construction solutions by managing diverse projects from inception to completion. Collaborate with teams to create bids, schedules, and budgets while ensuring quality and timely del...

Alexandria, VARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $163K *

Drive impactful solutions as a Professional Services Consultant, collaborating with clients to enhance their Fortinet product operations, develop best practices, and ensure seamless integration and tr...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $217K *

Lead the charge in designing innovative, scalable software solutions that transform complex processes into actionable insights, partnering with diverse teams to deliver high-performance applications f...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $190K *

Champion project control excellence by developing strategies, collaborating with teams, and optimizing performance to ensure successful project delivery within timelines and budgets. Lead initiatives...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

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

$94K - $145K *

Lead the charge in optimizing Microsoft 365 operations, ensuring seamless administration and management of tenant subscriptions, Exchange online, and identity services while leveraging best practices...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by engaging customers to develop tailored solutions using open-source technologies and cloud-native architecture. Drive success through collaboration and innovation, bridging engineer...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$220K - $240K *

Transform your career by owning the backend architecture for a fast-growing product, enhancing system performance, and collaborating across teams to drive innovations in restaurant health analytics wi...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$229K - $258K *

Lead the charge in shaping product security strategy, driving cross-functional initiatives, and embedding security by design into engineering workflows. Collaborate with teams to enhance vulnerability...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining product security by leading cross-functional initiatives, embedding security into engineering workflows, and shaping strategies that enhance risk management across major...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 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.