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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$198K - $273K *

Innovate your career by leading multidisciplinary engineering projects, ensuring technical excellence and strategic execution across major programs. Drive solutions, mentor teams, and uphold company v...

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in electrical engineering projects, overseeing design, testing, and integration of complex circuits for infrared sensor systems while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to en...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Optimize real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with engineering teams to design, implement, and enhance systems using diverse programming and design to...

Richmond, VARemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Transform your career by engineering innovative automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance operational efficiency and drive real-time information systems from t...

Raleigh, NCRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Champion real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with engineering teams to design, implement, and optimize systems using diverse technologies, while ment...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $120K *

Join a team that's developing cutting-edge automation solutions across manufacturing environments. Collaborate with engineers to design, implement, and support real-time systems, enhancing operational...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Transform real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with a dynamic engineering team to design, implement, and optimize systems using advanced programming a...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Champion the development of real-time automation solutions across industries, leveraging expertise in PLC programming, HMI design, and system networking to enhance operational efficiency and drive inn...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$92K - $110K *

Elevate your career by engineering real-time automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and optimize systems that enhance operational efficiency and...

Philadelphia, PARemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $155K *

Architect innovative solutions as a Lead Systems Engineer, driving system-level requirements and integration for Navy C4I capabilities while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with cross-fun...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$161K - $241K *

Lead a dynamic team in the full software development life cycle, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software products while managing risks and fostering collaboration across engineering discipli...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $241K *

Lead a dynamic team in the full software development life cycle, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software products while fostering collaboration and innovation in an Agile environment...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$163K - $245K *

Drive the integration and validation of autonomous software systems, ensuring technical excellence through scalable platform development. Collaborate with multiple teams to enhance capabilities in Har...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of national security by delivering advanced satellite systems. Engage in requirements management and verification for Electro-Optical programs, ensuring compliance with technical stan...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$177K - $265K *

Join a team that's leading the end-to-end software development lifecycle for high-visibility ground software capabilities, driving innovation and quality in a fast-paced environment while collaboratin...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $204K *

Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...

Wisconsin, USRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$114K - $252K *

Drive software excellence by managing a diverse engineering team focused on UI, Firmware, and AI/ML solutions, ensuring alignment with stakeholders and delivering quality products across multiple prog...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $135K *

Join a dynamic team as you drive cross-functional alignment, readiness, and issue resolution for Body Systems, ensuring successful development and integration of Exteriors & Interiors in a fast-paced...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $135K *

Advance engineering efforts by driving integration and alignment across Body Systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure deliverables meet technical, quality, and program objectives, wh...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$127K - $236K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team in systems engineering, focusing on modeling, simulation, and analysis. Collaborate across domains to develop innovative analytic tools that enhance operatio...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Partner with us to enhance cybersecurity for critical systems. In this role, you'll conduct risk assessments, implement security measures, and support architecture for the National Military Command Ce...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $116K *

Deliver high-level operational support for complex cloud systems, ensuring system reliability and performance. Collaborate with users and teams to troubleshoot issues, implement improvements, and main...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive the successful execution of production contracts, ensuring timely completion and adherence to cost and performance goals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage program lifecycle and...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Pioneer your career in program management by overseeing contract execution, ensuring performance goals are met, and leading integrated project teams from inception to close while interfacing with stak...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $144K *

Advance your career by engaging in cutting-edge systems engineering. Collaborate across disciplines to design, integrate, and test innovative systems that support our warfighters, ensuring optimal per...

1 week 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.