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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$143K - $238K *

Create innovative flight software for embedded systems, ensuring quality through documentation and testing. Design, implement, and oversee software lifecycles while collaborating with cross-functional...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$124K - $206K *

Drive innovation in embedded flight software by designing, implementing, and verifying software on real-time operating systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high standards in soft...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $238K *

Shape the future of embedded flight software by designing robust solutions for real-time operating systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, document, and maintain critical systems...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$103K - $155K *

Unlock your potential as a Secure Access Enablement Engineer, ensuring secure provisioning on classified cloud platforms. Collaborate with DoD security authorities and industry partners to enhance fun...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$98K - $182K *

Transform aerospace technology by designing and implementing advanced algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control systems in aircraft and spacecraft, ensuring precision during all flight phases a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive precision in aerospace analysis by leading telemetry data processing for mission-critical programs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure accurate trajectory and performance insight...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the analysis of telemetry data for the MACH-TB program, ensuring accurate trajectory and performance assessments. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver timely insights and manage co...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive telemetry data processing for aerospace missions, ensuring accurate trajectory analysis and timely delivery of results. Lead a multidisciplinary team in generating navigation solutions and manag...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$143K - $238K *

Transform the future of aerospace technology by designing and implementing embedded flight software systems while ensuring robust performance through meticulous development and verification processes...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $133K *

Transform advanced fluid dynamics simulations to enhance Navy missions, leveraging expertise in aerodynamics and simulation-based design. Collaborate on high-impact projects that shape the future of a...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $133K *

Elevate your career by conducting advanced fluid dynamics simulations to support critical Navy missions. Collaborate on aerodynamic analysis and simulation-based design, impacting a wide range of flig...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$119K - $163K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of systems engineering by architecting, integrating, and managing complex solutions. Collaborate with teams to drive requirements and ensure technical compliance t...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$106K - $198K *

Advance your career by driving technical lifecycle management and customer delivery for software-intensive systems. Collaborate with engineering teams, manage timelines, and ensure alignment between c...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$106K - $198K *

Drive the technical lifecycle and customer delivery of software-intensive systems. Engage with engineering teams to manage timelines, resolve deficiencies, and ensure alignment with customer requireme...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Optimize system performance by leading engineering projects, coordinating schedules, and ensuring seamless integration across teams. Drive technical solutions while managing hardware and software infr...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Contribute to cutting-edge engineering projects by leveraging your expertise in systems integration and testing. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance mission systems capabilities and drive innova...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Join our team as a Mission Systems Engineer to enhance the Common Reprogramming Tool (CRT) for F-35 operations. Collaborate with software engineers, lead projects, and mentor junior engineers while en...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Systems Engineer, driving innovative solutions and collaborating across disciplines to enhance strategic defense capabilities while ensuring technical excellence and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in systems engineering for strategic defense. Leverage your expertise to develop integrated solutions, support verification planning, and enhance system capabilit...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Shape total systems solutions through technical planning, integration, and analysis. Engage in all product lifecycle stages, ensuring customer requirements are met within technical, schedule, and cost...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$106K - $198K *

Elevate system integration strategies in missile defense technology. Drive the coordination of electrical, mechanical, and software designs while leading critical test efforts and working cross-functi...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Explore advanced engineering solutions by converting customer needs into innovative systems. Oversee technical planning, integration, and analysis at every product lifecycle phase, ensuring effective...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Transform complex systems into seamless solutions by applying your expertise in systems engineering, ensuring efficient integration and validation while balancing technical, schedule, and budgetary co...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $178K *

Empower the Diminishing Manufacturing Sources team to enhance program readiness by analyzing technical data, coordinating tools, and managing supplier interactions to mitigate obsolescence risks acros...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Engineer and develop systems architecture while executing requirements analysis, integration, and testing through the product lifecycle. Collaborate across teams to ensure successful verification and...

3 weeks 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.