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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$161K - $253K *

Lead systems engineering efforts in missile defense, guiding a team to deliver high-quality capabilities. Collaborate across disciplines to define architecture, manage requirements, and ensure compreh...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$169K - $253K *

Join a team that drives end-to-end engineering execution across the program lifecycle, ensuring technical performance while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve ambitious goals in defens...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$179K - $318K *

Innovate and lead the design and implementation of complex systems, ensuring alignment with business goals and security standards. Collaborate with teams to create scalable, secure infrastructures whi...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead mission-critical engineering efforts, overseeing multiple teams to ensure system reliability and performance. Drive long-term roadmaps, facilitate efficient collaboration, and empower teams to op...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $165K *

Innovate solutions in network engineering, leading design initiatives and setting strategic direction. Collaborate enterprise-wide to enhance IT policies and ensure robust, scalable, secure infrastruc...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in transforming enterprise infrastructure by providing senior technical leadership, guiding engineering solutions, and shaping technology strategy, impacting both immediate and long-te...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$169K - $253K *

Unlock your potential in systems engineering for maritime programs of national importance. Collaborate with multi-disciplined teams to develop cutting-edge oceanic systems, enhancing your skills in a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in systems engineering to support U.S. Air Force aircraft certification. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure requirements verification and enhance test accuracy for new a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of space exploration by providing systems engineering support for the integration of advanced Communication and Navigation systems in the Space Launch System, ens...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $136K *

Unlock potential by implementing mission assurance plans to ensure quality and compliance across programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address technical issues and enhance product relia...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $171K *

Drive quality and mission assurance for a key production program, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, performance, and continuous improvement while managing risks and enhan...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $260K *

Transform complex systems into innovative solutions by leading engineering efforts, guiding teams, and ensuring alignment with user requirements and design specifications. Collaborate across disciplin...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$98K - $184K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on systems engineering for multi-domain command and control. Drive technical execution, manage project costs, and collaborate across teams to achi...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$129K - $196K *

Innovate with a dynamic team to design and verify embedded flight systems, advancing aerospace technologies while leading agile software development and ensuring mission success through rigorous engin...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $225K *

Lead the charge in security engineering by guiding a team to build robust platforms, set technical direction, and enhance cloud security architecture while collaborating closely with operations to ens...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $225K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic Security Engineering team. Drive technical direction, own security architecture, and collaborate closely with operations to build robust security platforms and...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Champion the Air Force SEEK EAGLE mission by managing weapon compatibility analyses, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring project success through effective resource allocation and communicat...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $184K *

Lead the charge in developing and managing system architectures and requirements for complex aerospace systems, utilizing model-based systems engineering to ensure mission effectiveness and design int...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$134K - $201K *

Lead a dynamic team in developing innovative simulation technologies, enhancing modeling and analysis capabilities for aerospace applications. Collaborate with government clients to deliver high-perfo...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$134K - $201K *

Champion innovative modeling and simulation solutions by leading diverse teams, enhancing cloud-native architectures, and driving strategic customer engagement to support critical aerospace initiative...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$134K - $201K *

Lead a dynamic team in developing innovative simulation solutions, integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance modeling and analysis for aerospace applications, while fostering collaboration and...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's optimizing cloud infrastructure and enhancing system performance. Leverage your DevOps expertise to manage configurations, automate processes, and ensure security while collaboratin...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead a multi-disciplinary team to architect and integrate advanced space systems, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and technical requirements throughout the program lifecycle. Drive innovatio...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Architect advanced space systems by leading multi-disciplinary teams through design, integration, and validation phases. Ensure alignment of stakeholder needs with system architecture while managing t...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Transform national security initiatives by leading model-based systems engineering efforts. Collaborate across teams to integrate complex systems, enhance digital processes, and mentor peers, driving...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 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.