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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$100K - $150K *
Join a team that's pioneering advanced modeling and simulation solutions to enhance space operations. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to analyze complex systems and drive impactful results in na...
2 days ago
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$86K - $129K *
Champion innovative modeling and simulation solutions to enhance space operations, collaborating with diverse teams to tackle complex challenges and drive impactful results across national security mi...
2 days ago
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Shape the future of space operations by leading innovative modeling and simulation efforts. Collaborate with diverse teams to analyze complex systems, ensuring mission effectiveness in dynamic environ...
1 week ago
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of space operations through innovative modeling and simulation. Collaborate with diverse customers to analyze complex systems and drive impactful solutions in con...
1 week ago
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Lead the charge in modeling and simulation for space operations, driving innovative solutions to complex challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance mission effectiveness and delive...
1 week ago
Enterprise Modeling & Simulation Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Drive innovation by leveraging advanced modeling and simulation to enhance space operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze complex systems and deliver impactful solutions for nati...
1 week ago
Guidance, Navigation, & Controls (GNC), Controls Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join us to design and implement advanced GNC algorithms for aerospace vehicles, collaborating across teams to enhance control systems throughout the program lifecycle. Bring your expertise in modeling...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing technical leadership in embedded software development for military systems applications, supporting critical precision fires and battlefield systems initiatives. Drive...
4 weeks ago
$103K - $218K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by leading a multidisciplinary group to develop secure, production-ready AI applications for critical government missions. Drive innovation from design to d...
Reposted today
$103K - $218K *
Lead a multidisciplinary team to develop secure AI applications, guiding technical direction and ensuring quality throughout the software lifecycle while aligning with mission objectives and engineeri...
Reposted 2 days ago
$89K - $134K *
Shape quality leadership for product lifecycle in a dynamic engineering environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with quality standards and drive continuous improvemen...
Yesterday
Sr. Model Based Systems Engineer - 100% Remote
$105K - $175K *
Lead the charge in Model-Based Systems Engineering, collaborating with experts across diverse domains to develop cutting-edge solutions. Utilize your skills in SysML and modeling tools to drive innova...
1 week ago
Sr. Model Based Systems Engineer - 100% Remote
$128K - $187K *
Transform your career by leveraging cutting-edge MBSE expertise across diverse domains. Engage with top technologies, collaborate with skilled engineers, and drive innovation in dynamic environments w...
3 weeks ago
Systems Engineer II - Configuration Management, Onsite
$68K - $131K *
Unlock potential by supporting complex defense systems through effective configuration management and process improvement. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure accurate technical data manageme...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by optimizing our developer services infrastructure, enhancing reliability and performance across global teams. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to streamline operations and driv...
Today
Senior Principal Lead Systems Engineer (Onsite)
$132K - $251K *
Lead the charge in driving system-level production success as a Senior Principal Systems Engineer. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure compliance and deliver innovative solutions that align with...
2 weeks ago
$104K - $194K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing Configuration Management practices. You'll develop and enforce CM plans, manage audits, and support contract deliverables, ensuring excellence in program exec...
Today
$118K - $219K *
Transform network integration for mission-critical aerospace systems by leading design, validation, and troubleshooting of real-time networking architectures. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams...
Yesterday
$118K - $219K *
Transform your career by leading a dynamic operations team in a regulated environment. Drive success in ground systems operations, ensuring service availability and collaboration across engineering an...
1 week ago
$94K - $175K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of systems engineering through innovative model-based solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain complex system models, driving di...
2 weeks ago
$118K - $219K *
Lead the charge in Mission Operations & Sustainment, ensuring timely delivery of contract deliverables, developing operator procedures, and managing real-time spacecraft operations for national securi...
2 weeks ago
$104K - $194K *
Manage technical planning and system integration to deliver comprehensive solutions, ensuring alignment with customer requirements while balancing technical, schedule, and cost constraints across all...
2 weeks ago
$104K - $194K *
Help us transform technical planning and system integration into effective solutions. Collaborate across all system levels to ensure customer requirements are met while managing cost, schedule, and te...
2 weeks ago
$104K - $194K *
Explore opportunities to lead integration and test efforts within Naval Helo Mission Systems, driving technical execution and customer collaboration in a hybrid role that enhances maritime security an...
3 weeks ago
$104K - $194K *
Shape the future of complex training systems as a Systems Engineering Production Lead. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective production processes and uphold rigorous system desig...
3 weeks ago
What does a Chief Systems Engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Browse Chief Systems Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.