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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cyber System Security Engineer (CSSE)
$150K - $185K *
Engineer robust cybersecurity solutions across multiple systems, ensuring compliance and risk management in defense-critical environments. Lead integration activities from design through deployment, f...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your career by providing expert guidance on enterprise platforms, ensuring seamless integration and modernization across cloud and on-premises environments. Collaborate with diverse teams to e...
1 week ago
$101K - $151K *
Innovate as a Senior Cybersecurity Systems Engineer, driving mission-critical solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards while enhancing syste...
Today
$153K - $199K *
Help us define and validate complex defense systems as a senior technical leader. Mentor junior engineers, ensure compliance, and interface with cross-functional teams to drive success in systems engi...
1 month ago
$94K - $120K *
Drive innovation and integration across endpoint, identity, and security platforms in a dynamic federal IT environment, balancing enterprise standards with operational needs to enhance system interope...
Yesterday
Avionics Embedded Systems Engineering Manager
$145K - $269K *
Drive innovation in avionics systems as you lead a dynamic engineering team, ensuring strategic defense capabilities through advanced technologies and effective project management in a collaborative e...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative engineering solutions by integrating model-based systems engineering to enhance national security and healthcare access. Collaborate with clients to translate needs into technical spe...
2 weeks ago
Senior Wireless Systems Engineer, R&D
$128K - $286K *
Innovate cutting-edge satellite location systems by enhancing accuracy and exploring downlink beacon technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform research into production-ready sol...
3 weeks ago
$240K - $280K *
Lead the charge in defining and developing GNC architecture for autonomous aircraft. Drive technical decisions, mentor teams, and ensure robust performance from design through flight test, tackling co...
1 week ago
Information Systems Security Manager
$104K - $194K *
Elevate your career by overseeing information system security operations, ensuring compliance, and maintaining system integrity. Collaborate with teams to implement security policies and conduct audit...
1 week ago
Sr. Staff Engineer Airworthiness - Technical Excellence
$166K - $249K *
Drive technical excellence by developing processes, tools, and training for airworthiness and cybersecurity. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure compliance and enhance workforce capabilities, sup...
Reposted 1 week ago
$107K - $204K *
Transform innovative concepts into reality as a Systems Engineer II, collaborating across disciplines to troubleshoot, analyze data, and implement solutions for mission-critical defense systems throug...
2 weeks ago
$107K - $204K *
Drive the future of defense technology by leading systems engineering efforts across the product lifecycle. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to troubleshoot, analyze, and enhance mission-criti...
2 weeks ago
$107K - $204K *
Explore the advancement of Ground-Based Radar Systems as a key Systems Engineer. Collaborate across teams, develop innovative architectures and refine system requirements to enhance missile defense ca...
3 weeks ago
Sentinel - System Deployment Capability Lead Systems Engineer 4
$122K - $184K *
Drive your career forward as a Systems Engineering leader, guiding a team in developing critical systems for the Sentinel program. Engage in requirements management, model-based engineering, and ensur...
1 week ago
SkillBridge - Principal Systems Engineer (E2 Hawkeye)
$95K - $142K *
Shape the future of aerospace by managing cost accounts and engineering projects for the E-2 Hawkeye program. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure project success and deliver high-quality results...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive system design and integration by collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder needs are met and security, performance, and compliance standards are upheld throughout the syste...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize system performance and reliability through design, implementation, and maintenance. Collaborate with stakeholders to align technologies and processes with organizational goals across the syst...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer SME (TS/SCI with Poly Required)
$110K - $130K *
Innovate your career with challenging software engineering projects that harness your expertise in Java, LDAP solutions, and front-end technologies, while enhancing application deployment and security...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer SME (TS/SCI with Poly Required)
$110K - $130K *
Transform your career by developing cutting-edge applications using Core Java and powerful web technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative software solutions that enhan...
3 weeks ago
Security Control Assessor Representative (SCA-R)
$100K - $120K *
Support comprehensive cybersecurity assessments, risk management, and system authorizations by collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure compliance and security throughout the system lifecycle...
3 weeks ago
Systems Engineer II - Processing, Guidance, & Controls Engineers
$68K - $131K *
Join a team that's developing advanced control and navigation algorithms for autonomous systems. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to enhance system performance and drive innovation in cuttin...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$114K - $171K *
Elevate your career by defining and managing requirements for spacecraft ground systems. Drive program maturity through analysis, integration, and documentation while collaborating in a model-based sy...
Today
$88K - $163K *
Lead strategic systems engineering initiatives for hardware platforms, ensuring effective integration, verification, and validation across the full system lifecycle while adhering to customer requirem...
Reposted 3 days ago
$70K - $130K *
Advance your career by performing technical planning and system integration analyses. Collaborate on translating customer requirements into effective total systems solutions while ensuring adherence t...
5 days ago
What does a Chief Systems Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Browse Chief Systems Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.