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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$80K - $120K *

Innovate and enhance edge systems by installing, testing, and evaluating advanced technologies. Collaborate with a multi-disciplined team to improve customer satisfaction through effective data collec...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Transform systems engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team, enhancing best practices, and ensuring effective resource management throughout project lifecycles in a dynamic environmen...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Drive your career with a leadership role overseeing prototyping and solution support. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align technical proposals with customer needs, manage project execution...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $180K *

Unlock the potential of intelligence systems integration by leading efforts to ensure seamless interoperability across multi-discipline analysis platforms, enhancing operational readiness and data-dri...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Support the development of next-gen ICBM systems by collaborating with teams, ensuring deliverables meet requirements, and contributing to design reviews and data analysis for critical defense program...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of military intelligence by leading system integration efforts, ensuring seamless interoperability of advanced analytics and data platforms to enhance operational readiness and decisi...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Support critical integration tasks and troubleshoot workflows to enhance data sharing and interoperability within Army intelligence systems, ensuring seamless operations and modernization efforts...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in advancing terrestrial sensor integration for Army intelligence, ensuring seamless operational capabilities and strategic alignment across multiple defense sectors. Drive innovation...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $160K *

Elevate systems engineering excellence by leading critical activities for a high-priority defense program. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet stringent...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead critical systems engineering efforts for a high-priority nuclear modernization program, ensuring innovative solutions meet mission requirements while adhering to schedule and cost constraints. Co...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $140K *

Innovate with us to drive the development of advanced systems engineering solutions. Collaborate in a dynamic team to design, prototype, and transition cutting-edge technologies in undersea defense an...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by collaborating with a dynamic team to design, document, and test innovative systems for undersea defense and automated test equipment, ensuring successful prototype development a...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Discover innovative solutions by providing remote and on-site client support. Tackle technical challenges, optimize platforms, and enhance customer satisfaction through expert troubleshooting in a dyn...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $163K *

Tackle complex maritime programs as a Systems Engineering Lead, driving system design, integration, and test for cutting-edge oceanic technologies. Collaborate within multi-disciplined teams for proje...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Contribute to model-based systems engineering initiatives, capturing and documenting customer requirements while managing complex project lifecycles and collaborating with cross-functional teams to dr...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $140K *

Drive the design and implementation of advanced algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control systems in aerospace applications, ensuring precision during all flight phases and enhancing vehicle pe...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$67K - $124K *

Develop and implement advanced algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control of aerospace vehicles, ensuring optimal performance during all flight phases. Collaborate on complex simulations and enh...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Lead project execution for C5ISR systems, ensuring compliance and customer satisfaction through effective planning, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration. Drive project lifecycle from in...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Drive technical leadership in product development for advanced EO/IR systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, oversee design, and ensure successful integration and test...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Provide engineering support for multiple departments, focusing on Test and Evaluation, Unmanned Systems, and Undersea Weapons. Ensure operational readiness, and lead lifecycle support for complex mili...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by supporting the design and development of power electronics systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure cost-effective solutions, verify performance, and contribute to technical docum...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Innovate the future of aircraft systems engineering by developing designs, technical documentation, and compliance strategies. Collaborate with teams to ensure system performance and certification to...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $241K *

Lead innovative RF communication solutions by guiding a skilled team in systems engineering projects that enhance national security. Collaborate across disciplines to optimize system architecture and...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Optimize systems engineering processes by leveraging extensive experience in STEM disciplines, ensuring compliance with security clearances, and driving technical excellence in a collaborative environ...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Lead the charge in systems engineering by managing requirements, developing test cases, and ensuring verification and validation. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions that me...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.