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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$110K - $130K *

Lead a multi-disciplinary team to design and develop advanced UAS solutions, transforming operational needs into scalable architectures and ensuring successful product execution from concept to produc...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$96K - $168K *

Engineer robust MBSE models to enhance systems and mission engineering processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve requirements traceability, system design, and validation across the...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's driving Agile excellence and optimizing JIRA administration. Leverage your Scrum Master expertise to facilitate high-quality delivery within secure, mission-critical environments wh...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$107K - $204K *

Innovate solutions in elastomeric materials engineering, tackling complex problems through analysis and collaboration. Engage with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver timely engineering solutions in...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading avionics certification projects, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. Collaborate with teams to develop complex designs and mentor junior engineers while delivering re...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$117K - $175K *

Lead innovative systems engineering efforts to support diverse acquisition activities for national security and commercial space programs, ensuring effective lifecycle management and operational succe...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Lead the charge in integrated systems engineering for advanced radar programs. Drive collaboration and innovation across teams to ensure successful development, integration, and testing of air defense...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Lead the charge in advancing radar program execution through superior systems engineering practices, ensuring the integration and testing of air defense systems while fostering collaboration across di...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Make your mark at a dynamic team focused on satellite operations and maintenance. Engage in critical system monitoring, troubleshooting, and mission planning in a fast-paced environment, ensuring opti...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $224K *

Champion innovative solutions by leading system architecture development, engaging stakeholders, and executing test plans. Drive progress in complex engineering projects while ensuring alignment with...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $224K *

Elevate system solutions by leading stakeholder engagement, developing architectures, and executing test plans. Drive innovation through trade studies and risk monitoring, ensuring alignment with cust...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Systems Engineer, driving innovative solutions for advanced space payloads. Collaborate across teams to define system architectures and ensure mission success in c...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $185K *

Elevate your career by leading cybersecurity efforts for classified systems. Drive the implementation of security frameworks, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and shape the future of classifie...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$103K - $181K *

Join a team that's pioneering Model-Based Systems Engineering to enhance missile defense capabilities. Collaborate with top engineers and military professionals to drive digital transformation and ens...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$85K - $158K *

Shape innovative solutions by performing comprehensive systems engineering analyses, ensuring seamless integration and validation of complex systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Empower a dynamic team by driving technical planning and system integration, ensuring effective solutions that meet customer requirements while navigating technical, schedule, and cost constraints in...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $213K *

Lead your career with a dynamic role in systems engineering, driving Agile development of innovative MS Windows and cloud solutions. Collaborate across teams to deliver technical excellence and ensure...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $213K *

Develop innovative solutions as a Senior Principal or Staff Systems Engineer, leading Agile projects in MS Windows and cloud environments. Drive technical leadership, system integration, and complianc...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $184K *

Deliver technical expertise as a Sr. Principal Engineer Systems, overseeing systems engineering disciplines to ensure program success. Collaborate across teams to manage requirements, verification, an...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $204K *

Elevate manufacturing capabilities by integrating and optimizing workflows, tooling, and processes. Collaborate across functions to identify constraints and implement solutions that enhance production...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Contribute to the development and testing of complex systems solutions, ensuring requirements are met through collaboration with Agile teams. Engage in functional analysis and verification to deliver...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Engineer comprehensive systems solutions by translating customer requirements into actionable designs. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance through rigorou...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Oversee the integration and testing of systems solutions, ensuring alignment between customer requirements and product deliverables while collaborating with cross-functional Agile teams and facilitati...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of aerospace by ensuring satellite platforms are flight-ready through system-level integration, testing, and verification. Own the execution of critical phases to guarantee performanc...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of ammunition systems engineering, providing technical leadership and project oversight while fostering innovations in production and supply chain resilience to enh...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 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.