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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$135K - $150K *

Unlock potential by overseeing project operations and client relationships, driving growth through strategic partnerships and best practices. Lead teams to achieve business goals while ensuring high s...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Optimize network performance by troubleshooting complex issues, leading projects, and mentoring teams. Collaborate on designs and enhance security while ensuring operational standards and delivering e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$95K - $115K *

Engage in a dynamic role overseeing large projects and teams, ensuring successful delivery through effective stakeholder coordination and project management. Contribute to innovative power delivery so...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $215K *

Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$98K - $206K *

Unlock the potential of data engineering by automating cloud data ingestion and transformation processes. Utilize cutting-edge AWS services to ensure reliability and performance in a mission-driven en...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $256K *

Shape the future of data engineering by architecting scalable, cloud-native data platforms on Azure and Databricks. Influence the organization’s data practices to leverage AI-driven insights, driving...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$130K - $160K *

Empower your career by leading cross-functional initiatives that define and execute product strategies. Cultivate senior talent while driving clarity in vision and achieving impactful results across d...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $174K *

Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$152K - $169K *

Unlock potential by leading ASIC/FPGA design and verification efforts, ensuring high-quality deliverables through innovative engineering practices and collaboration with cross-functional teams...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$167K - $245K *

Empower software quality by developing testing strategies, frameworks, and automation. Collaborate with engineers to enhance functionality, reliability, and performance of complex software agents acro...

San Jose, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$93K - $150K *

Optimize infrastructure and CI/CD pipelines to empower engineering teams in delivering AI-powered products efficiently. Collaborate closely with product and data engineers, leading projects from incep...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $170K *

Shape the future of healthcare technology by leveraging your expertise to drive sales success. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored solutions, engage customers, and enhance prod...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $190K *

Develop high-performance networking solutions using Rust for a secure client connector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance code quality and implement impactful features while addressin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $230K *

Lead and enhance brand storytelling across campaigns. Collaborate with teams to ensure cohesive brand presence, drive creative direction, and develop a high-performing creative team to elevate brand i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engage your expertise to lead bridge and structural projects from planning to completion. Manage multidisciplinary teams, maintain client relationships, and drive practice growth across Massachusetts...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$280K - $330K *

Unlock potential by leading a team of Forward Deployed Engineers to identify AI opportunities, translate business needs into solutions, and drive measurable impact through agile delivery and collabora...

Morrisville, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $115K *

Lead the design and deployment of Power BI solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, analyze data, and enhance operational efficiency in secure environments. Drive i...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $243K *

Empower data-driven decision-making by analyzing diverse datasets and creating actionable insights. Collaborate across teams to enhance reporting and automate processes, ensuring information quality a...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$172K - $202K *

Lead research initiatives on emerging AI safety and security, guiding clients through innovative insights and strategic decisions. Engage with diverse stakeholders to analyze trends and develop compre...

Irving, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's focused on delivering successful project outcomes by building comprehensive schedules, defining responsibilities, and managing timelines effectively to ensure client satisfaction an...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$113K - $226K *

Lead the charge in optimizing healthcare processes by bridging strategy and execution. Collaborate with teams to enhance coding workflows, drive change management, and ensure alignment with strategic...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $120K *

Analyze and enhance business processes across the services lifecycle. Develop reporting solutions and dashboards to drive informed decisions, improve revenue predictability, and support stakeholders i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$140K - $175K *

Elevate your career by leading technology integration for M&A, ensuring seamless execution from due diligence to stabilization. Drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver predictable outcomes wh...

St. Louis, MORemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$157K - $238K *

Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$152K - $287K *

Join a team that's developing cutting-edge GPU performance tools for AI and HPC. Your expertise will shape innovative profiling solutions, empowering CUDA engineers globally to maximize GPU capabiliti...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.