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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$140K - $280K *

Oversee the design and development of advanced radar systems, focusing on signal processing algorithms for target detection and tracking. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to optimize performa...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on designing and delivering advanced systems for Submarine Warfare. Collaborate with experts to analyze requirements, manage integrations, and ens...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of systems engineers while driving innovative radar and sensor system projects. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure successful program execution and fos...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join a mission-focused team to develop and deploy systems, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software while collaborating closely with users and stakeholders to meet critical operational n...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Engage with teams to design, implement, and maintain cutting-edge IT systems while supporting mission-critical upgrades and deployments in a dynamic environment. Collaborate effectively to ensure robu...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Pioneer innovative system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and upgrade IT systems, ensuring efficient operations for defense initiatives through meticulo...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Tackle engineering challenges by designing, integrating, and maintaining system solutions. Ensure operational excellence through security, documentation, and technology adaptation while collaborating...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Lead integration efforts for modernizing space launch ranges, ensuring mission success through advanced systems architecture and collaboration across engineering disciplines to enhance operational cap...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $213K *

Deliver innovative manufacturing technology solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality across advanced manufacturing areas in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with stake...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $213K *

Engineer advanced manufacturing solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality across diverse production applications while guiding project execution and interfacing with stakehold...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Partner with us to advance national security through systems engineering excellence on complex space vehicle programs. Lead diverse teams and contribute to space superiority initiatives, driving techn...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team shaping the future of space systems, leading complex engineering efforts while driving innovation and ensuring national security through advanced vehicle design and integration...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive the integration of advanced avionics systems, ensuring operational readiness from design to testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance capabilities and optimize architectures, i...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$166K - $289K *

Shape the future of software engineering by leading innovative projects, driving architecture, and enhancing capabilities in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure mission-cri...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$166K - $289K *

Elevate your career by leading software architecture and planning for mission-critical systems. Drive efficiency and innovation through strategic roadmapping and metrics-driven management in a dynamic...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$166K - $289K *

Unlock potential by leading software architecture and planning for mission-critical systems. Drive efficiency through reuse strategies and metrics-driven management while collaborating with diverse te...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$166K - $289K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading innovative planning, architecture, and execution strategies for mission-critical systems, ensuring efficiency and adaptability...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$151K - $226K *

Contribute to mission success by providing technical expertise in systems engineering and integration for high-impact US Government initiatives in a classified environment, collaborating with diverse...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team of Systems Engineers dedicated to designing, integrating, and maintaining complex systems for national defense. Collaborate across multiple domains to drive...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$126K - $152K *

Drive the future of remote sensing by supporting mission design and system integration for a proliferated spacecraft constellation. Collaborate across teams to enhance monitoring and reporting capabil...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $271K *

Drive the development of advanced guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for autonomous spacecraft operations, ensuring safe and efficient rendezvous and proximity maneuvers while leading a dyna...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$101K - $206K *

Optimize data systems and network engineering for flight operations. Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate and test critical telemetry systems, ensuring mission success through effective ove...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform the security landscape by managing identity and access across cloud and hybrid systems. Ensure robust authentication, governance, and compliance while collaborating with IT and security team...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing NASA's human spaceflight operations. Collaborate with engineers to manage designs and requirements that ensure efficient mission control services, training sy...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$169K - $253K *

Unlock potential by leading and mentoring Ground Software teams to achieve innovative, mission-critical goals while ensuring effective resource management and fostering inclusivity within a dynamic ae...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 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.