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 - $110K *

Advance your career by crafting high-level communications for federal oversight entities. Collaborate with a team to ensure clarity and consistency in executive correspondence, while managing tight de...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$73K - $132K *

Lead the charge in managing complex subcontract activities, ensuring compliance with regulations and company policies while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$73K - $132K *

Lead the procurement cycle, negotiate contracts, and collaborate across functions to ensure successful management of federal subcontracts while driving innovation, compliance, and cost-effective solut...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovation in scalable distributed systems by designing and building a reliability platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance service health and observability while mentoring f...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative software solutions using cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate closely with teams to create high-quality applications while adapting to new tools and process...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

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

$90K - $168K *

Drive your career with a role focused on sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing essential materials and services. Analyze supplier performance and market trends to optimize procurement strategies and e...

New Jersey, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $160K *

Optimize your career by designing and deploying a scalable integration between ServiceNow and Jira. Leverage your expertise to enhance technical processes and innovate solutions within a dynamic suppo...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$98K - $206K *

Join a team that architects Oracle Fusion PPM solutions to enable precise project management and financial accountability for Marine Corps initiatives. Leverage your expertise to lead configurations a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading architecture in sales and implementations. Collaborate with clients and teams to drive technical excellence, enhance projects, and innovate solutions across multiple platfo...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$252K - $321K *

Drive hardware security strategy across Cisco's extensive product portfolio, establishing secure-by-design standards and collaborating with industry leaders to shape the future of embedded security in...

North Carolina, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by designing and implementing enterprise identity solutions, ensuring secure access across cloud and hybrid environments while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance IAM...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $207K *

Elevate customer success by leading technical onboarding and implementation efforts. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive adoption and ensure timely value delivery in a fast-paced AI security envir...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $207K *

Help us drive customer success by leading technical onboarding and implementation efforts, ensuring seamless post-sales support, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance the customer journey in...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $228K *

Help us drive customer success by leading technical onboarding and implementation efforts. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless post-sales support and foster long-term partnerships in a f...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$185K - $260K *

Champion security excellence by designing and implementing robust software solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance security practices, conduct code reviews, and respond to incidents, ensuring a s...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's driving complex, cross-functional programs that enhance client engineering requests and ensure timely delivery. You'll shape processes, manage dependencies, and support Tier 1 clien...

Canada, KYRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $130K *

Tackle diverse mechanical design challenges; lead multi-discipline project teams in creating precise 3D layout drawings and innovative mechanical systems for power plants, while mentoring junior desig...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Transform enterprise security by bridging technical and strategic initiatives, ensuring robust cyber defense across hybrid environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance security posture and d...

Reston, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $150K *

Empower stakeholders by leading the complete contracting lifecycle for strategic suppliers and partners. Collaborate cross-functionally to negotiate complex agreements, manage risks, and optimize cont...

Morrisville, PARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

Elevate procurement efficiency by supporting contract operations, developing documentation, and liaising with stakeholders. Play a key role in ensuring compliance with regulations while managing compl...

Silver Spring, MDRemote

4 days ago

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

$120K - $145K *

Join us to enhance the security posture of our production platform. As an Infrastructure Security Engineer, you'll drive remediation efforts, build security frameworks, and collaborate with teams to p...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI solutions by deploying and integrating cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate with customers and engineers to enhance system performance and drive innovatio...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $165K *

Unlock potential by leading hydro turbine design and engineering projects, optimizing asset performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enh...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$154K - $193K *

Drive AI transformation by building client relationships, leading engagements, and delivering results. Own the sales process from prospecting to execution, ensuring successful integration of AI soluti...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$132K - $165K *

Lead the charge in AI transformation by building client trust, driving business development, and delivering impactful solutions. Own the entire engagement process from sales to execution, guiding team...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.