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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$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

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

$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

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   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.