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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$82K - $172K *

Partner with us to deliver innovative software solutions by providing technical direction and managing requirements for a mission-critical system in a collaborative, fast-paced environment...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$175K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining aerospace manufacturing by building cutting-edge satellite structures and integrated systems, ensuring efficient production flows and minimizing risks in a dynamic, high...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$97K - $160K *

Lead the development of integrated communication systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product integration, testing, and validation throughout the engineering lifecyc...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $203K *

Help us shape the future of manufacturing systems engineering by leading innovative strategies and collaborating across teams to enhance production capabilities in a dynamic environment. Join us in dr...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Shape the future of space nuclear power systems by owning the electrical architecture and verification strategy. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure seamless integration and performance of comple...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$130K - $160K *

Elevate healthcare technology by leading the systems engineering for a fully autonomous medication dispensing system. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, a...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead the technical direction of a fully autonomous medication dispensing system. Shape safety strategies, regulatory compliance, and system architecture while mentoring engineers and influencing produ...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $210K *

Innovate the Inference Cloud Platform by tackling complex problems, setting technical direction, and ensuring high performance and reliability across multi-region systems while producing scalable code...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $213K *

Accelerate your career with a vital role ensuring airworthiness for aerospace projects. Collaborate across teams to achieve certification objectives and uphold standards throughout the product lifecyc...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$57K - $108K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of missile defense technologies. As a Systems Engineer I, you'll plan and execute complex integration and verification tests, contributing to innovative solutions...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$94K - $156K *

Unlock innovative solutions in spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control. Collaborate with senior engineers to design, analyze, and validate systems for groundbreaking missions, enhancing algorithm...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $203K *

Join a team that's leading RF integration and test efforts for critical programs. As an IPT Lead, you'll guide engineering teams, manage production transitions, and collaborate across functions in a d...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $224K *

Join a team that's leading upgrades on legacy systems, ensuring crypto certification, and managing complex engineering projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$68K - $131K *

Join a team that's redefining logistics engineering! As a key member, collaborate with stakeholders to develop supportability analyses and enhance radar system performance throughout the product lifec...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$145K - $175K *

Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical solutions, mentoring teams, and driving production outcomes in a collaborative environment focused on innovation and operational excellence...

Florida, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$118K - $219K *

Drive technical planning and system integration to deliver effective solutions. Collaborate across all product lifecycle stages, ensuring customer requirements are met within technical, schedule, and...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $219K *

Help us drive innovation by performing technical planning and system integration for complex aerospace systems, ensuring compliance with requirements and fostering collaboration across engineering dis...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Champion system verification for aircraft surveillance systems, ensuring compliance with ARP4754A and DO-178B standards. Collaborate on both new and legacy systems, enhancing safety and performance in...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's driving the integration of advanced systems, enhancing virtual infrastructures, and ensuring robust support for military command systems through innovative testing and configuration...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$156K - $195K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing safety and reliability in propulsion systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop robust safety strategies and ensure mission success while managing cri...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$183K - $193K *

Innovate systems engineering solutions for Free-Space Optical communications, leading design, integration, and verification efforts. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure successful deployment and...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$183K - $193K *

Lead the technical definition and integration of advanced Free-Space Optical communications systems. Oversee system design, verification, and sustainment while collaborating across multiple engineerin...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $110K *

Drive satellite operations excellence by analyzing telemetry data, optimizing performance, and collaborating with engineering teams to ensure seamless satellite lifecycle management from procurement t...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading advanced modeling and simulation initiatives for underground facility assessments, integrating high-fidelity simulations to safeguard defense operations and enhance joint f...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$81K - $85K *

Support the engineering and documentation of secure/non-secure communication systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure effective design, installation, and testing of network solutions, while maintaini...

Yesterday

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

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.