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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$115K - $150K *

Unlock potential by leading system engineering efforts to analyze requirements, develop specifications, and ensure technical integrity. Collaborate with stakeholders to guide design and implementation...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to developing and integrating system requirements, guiding design activities, and ensuring technical integrity in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with stakeholders to d...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $220K *

Join a dynamic team as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading a group of experts in a high-stakes environment. Drive collaboration, manage technical tasks, and ensure successful execution of contract...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in systems engineering, overseeing a talented group of experts. Collaborate with government leaders to address complex challenges and ensure successful execution...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$82K - $172K *

Elevate your career by leading engineering teams on complex projects, ensuring high-quality system designs and timely execution while collaborating with senior leadership and maintaining strong client...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$119K - $161K *

Pioneer system integration for cutting-edge military tech, overseeing Active Protection System technologies. Drive innovative solutions and collaborate across teams, leading to enhanced military platf...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$184K - $276K *

Lead a dynamic team of engineers in systems integration and testing, driving innovation and excellence across diverse projects. Foster talent development and strategic alignment to achieve organizatio...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $120K *

Join a team that's transforming innovative software prototypes into robust, operational systems. Drive full-stack development, ensure data security, and support mission-critical applications in a dyna...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Transform ground systems engineering by guiding acquisitions and enhancing digital methods. Collaborate across teams to deliver responsive architectures, ensuring mission success while shaping advance...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive the evolution of ground system architectures for mission-critical projects, ensuring alignment with enterprise-level strategies. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative engineering soluti...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $187K *

Engineer innovative security controls and assess cybersecurity measures while collaborating with a dynamic team. Ensure compliance with NSA and DoD standards, enhancing system performance and reliabil...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team as a Chief Engineer, leading the design and development of advanced Space Vehicles. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure mission success while managing technical risk...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Engineer and manage facility network communications, ensuring integration, troubleshooting, and stakeholder collaboration in a classified environment while supporting enhancements and performance metr...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $204K *

Architect innovative avionics software solutions, collaborating on design and testing. Leverage your expertise in embedded systems and certification processes to solve complex challenges and enhance f...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $204K *

Unlock innovation by leading software engineering efforts, focusing on design, development, and verification of complex avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product qua...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$212K - $318K *

Elevate your career by leading engineering efforts for advanced space vehicles, managing multi-disciplinary teams, and driving technical performance to deliver exceptional products that exceed cost an...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$210K - $250K *

Lead the development of a cutting-edge orbital transfer vehicle, overseeing all technical aspects from design to flight. Collaborate with teams and manage suppliers to ensure successful integration an...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion integrated engineering execution across multiple disciplines, ensuring alignment for predictable outcomes. Drive delivery for the Core User Terminal platform while managing risks, dependencie...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $149K *

Champion innovative solutions as a Senior Systems Engineer, managing complex IT systems and infrastructure. Collaborate with a skilled team to enhance system performance, security, and user experience...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $220K *

Advance the future of space capabilities by leading integration efforts across the U.S. Space Force. Collaborate with senior leaders to architect and execute resilient systems, ensuring operational su...

Today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $105K *

Transform systems engineering by delivering critical support for FAA Radar System Replacement through site surveys, testing, and technical documentation to optimize performance and ensure compliance t...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $105K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to support and enhance FAA Radar systems by conducting site surveys, technical testing, and system integration under the guidance of senior staff, ensuring compliance a...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead and coordinate the Engineering and Infrastructure teams for critical launch operations, ensuring optimal system performance to meet mission requirements while overseeing operation validations and...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Elevate launch operations by leading infrastructure systems teams, ensuring mission readiness and equipment maintenance while coordinating critical support functions for operations across both coasts...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$93K - $171K *

Lead the charge in driving innovative systems engineering solutions. Collaborate across teams to define and refine requirements while managing multi-disciplinary efforts and ensuring integration with...

Reposted 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.