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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$114K - $171K *

Join our team to design, develop, and automate software tests for embedded systems. Collaborate with engineers throughout the software lifecycle, ensuring quality and performance in a dynamic environm...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Drive innovation in Systems Engineering by enhancing fault management and system autonomy. Collaborate in a dynamic team environment while ensuring successful mission outcomes through comprehensive an...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$198K - $300K *

Lead the charge in defining and owning the avionics architecture for an unmanned aircraft system, ensuring seamless integration between onboard avionics and Ground Control Station, while driving modul...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$72K - $135K *

Join a dynamic team to support the design and integration of ground systems for aerospace missions. This entry-level role offers hands-on experience in telemetry, tracking, and command systems, paving...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$58K - $108K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of hypersonic technology through innovative system engineering solutions for critical defense applications. Collaborate with diverse experts to design, develop, a...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $215K *

Unlock potential by driving cybersecurity engineering excellence for mission-critical Navy and DoD systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assess risks, identify vulnerabilities, and enha...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $240K *

Drive innovation as a Senior Radar Software Engineer, collaborating on R&D and production software for next-gen radar systems. Engage with diverse capabilities and expand your expertise while supporti...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape your future by leading program execution efforts in a dynamic team. Utilize your expertise to engage with stakeholders and drive successful acquisitions through effective planning, oversight, an...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$265K - $285K *

Advance your career by providing technical leadership in systems engineering, supporting complex integration efforts and ensuring compliance in a multi-stakeholder environment. Drive innovation and en...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $190K *

Lead the development of a robust Systems Engineering framework to ensure compliance with aerospace standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance processes, drive quality, and support the la...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $250K *

Transform complex systems into streamlined solutions by leveraging your expertise in SAN, Cisco, and VMware technologies. Collaborate with teams to enhance security and optimize storage infrastructure...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $250K *

Champion the development and maintenance of secure, scalable back-end systems, collaborating with a team to deliver high-quality software solutions while ensuring data integrity and compliance in a hi...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing spacecraft systems engineering, overseeing mission architecture, requirements management, and team development to ensure flight readiness and operational succ...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $200K *

Lead the integration of complex railway systems, ensuring seamless collaboration across projects and disciplines. Drive innovative solutions for infrastructure development, focusing on sustainability...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$160K - $200K *

Pioneer cybersecurity solutions for critical Navy communication systems, leveraging deep engineering expertise and offensive security skills to enhance the resilience of classified environments in a c...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $212K *

Transform cloud integration and DevOps practices, owning CI/CD pipelines, designing Kubernetes deployments, and troubleshooting cloud environments for successful project outcomes...

3 weeks ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Drive project success by leading cross-functional teams in the execution of complex engineering initiatives, ensuring technical performance, cost management, and schedule adherence across various flig...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$79K - $93K *

Contribute to configuration management and data administration, ensuring compliance with engineering standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain documentation and support program ne...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $216K *

Transform your career by collaborating with cross-functional teams to define and document mission planning specifications, ensuring clarity and traceability in a complex systems environment. Drive inn...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$98K - $118K *

Partner with us to enhance self-driving software integration, troubleshoot system issues, and evaluate performance. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality and compliance while driving innovation i...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$94K - $153K *

Contribute to our engineering quality assurance by independently reviewing processes, conducting audits, and collaborating with program teams to drive product development success and continuous improv...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Elevate the future of intelligent systems by designing and developing a next-gen Agentic AI Platform. Collaborate across the full stack to create robust web applications and backend services that enha...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Software Developer, driving the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI platforms. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhan...

Virginia, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Join a team that's pioneering spacecraft contamination control to ensure the integrity of advanced spaceflight programs. Collaborate across disciplines as a subject matter expert to assess and mitigat...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $195K *

Champion the development of advanced space control systems by leading mission analysis, simulation, and system integration efforts. Drive engineering decisions across the program lifecycle to ensure m...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 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.