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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1
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$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...

1 week 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

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$138K - $165K *

Discover innovative solutions as you design, integrate, and enhance complex enterprise networks. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot and streamline communication systems in defense projects, ensuri...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 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

$130K - $195K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of space control systems by developing simulation tools, conducting mission analyses, and supporting system-level engineering decisions throughout the program lif...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $120K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop user-centric web applications, integrating AI-driven insights for high-stakes decision-making workflows while ensuring performance and sec...

Virginia, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of user-centric web applications by designing and developing modern front-end solutions that integrate AI insights, ensuring secure and scalable experiences for Veterans and the VA mi...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $160K *

Join our dynamic team to design and develop cutting-edge AI platforms, enhancing decision-making workflows through innovative web applications and robust backend services. Collaborate across the full...

Virginia, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's revolutionizing engineering solutions through innovative software development. Collaborate with experts to enhance applications, support customer needs, and drive impactful research...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team to design and develop a next-gen AI platform, focusing on intelligent agent frameworks and modern web applications. Collaborate across the full stack to enhance decision-making wor...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you design and develop a next-gen AI platform. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhance decision-making workflows in a dynamic...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in developing advanced software solutions for NASA's spacecraft systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and validate cutting-edge technologies that enhance space...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Contribute to NASA's mission by designing and deploying spacecraft simulators, ensuring advanced verification and validation of software systems. Join a dynamic team dedicated to innovation in aerospa...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Accelerate progress at NASA by designing and deploying advanced spacecraft simulators. Join a dynamic team focused on software testing and validation for cutting-edge aerospace projects, ensuring the...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Drive the design and development of NASA spacecraft simulators, ensuring advanced verification and validation of software systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance ground software and smalls...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in developing advanced software solutions for NASA's spacecraft simulators, ensuring robust verification and validation processes while collaborating with a dynamic team of engineers i...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team to design and develop NASA spacecraft simulators, enhancing verification and validation processes for advanced space missions. Collaborate on innovative software solutions that imp...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing NASA's software testing and simulation efforts. Collaborate on designing and deploying spacecraft simulators, ensuring the integrity of critical systems throu...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $234K *

Empower your career by influencing mission capabilities through advanced system architectures. Collaborate with the Intelligence Community to enhance automated mission delivery and drive innovative so...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $138K *

Take ownership of systems engineering and integration activities for military SATCOM and NC3 systems. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, providing subject matter expertise to support mission-criti...

4 weeks ago

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

$85K - $158K *

Shape the future of aerospace systems by collaborating with a dynamic team to design, develop, and validate cutting-edge C-130J training devices, ensuring top-tier performance and reliability in a fas...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$78K - $250K *

Unlock potential by leading system testing and validation efforts for web-based applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal functionality and performance while documenting...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $260K *

Build and manage Cisco SANs, configure settings, and ensure optimal operations. Collaborate with teams to enhance storage systems in VMware environments while addressing security protocols and mainten...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $260K *

Lead the design and maintenance of secure systems in diverse environments, ensuring they meet enterprise-scale requirements while driving automation and compliance. Collaborate on strategic A&A activi...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.