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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$172K - $259K *

Unlock the potential of cyber intelligence by leading innovative projects, collaborating across sectors, and guiding sponsors in enhancing their cybersecurity capabilities to address complex global ch...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining defense technology by integrating advanced propulsion systems into next-gen platforms. Collaborate across disciplines to transform concepts into reliable, manufacturable...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$118K - $251K *

Join a team that's dedicated to the design, development, and maintenance of mission-critical communications systems. Collaborate across various platforms to deliver innovative solutions for U.S. Gover...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$86K - $160K *

Engage as a Senior Network Engineer, contributing expertise in modern Cisco architecture and network management to ensure robust, secure operations for mission-critical systems in support of Departmen...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Transform your career by leading NCS engineering efforts in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with experts, ensure compliance, and drive project success while utilizing your technical skills and expe...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$173K - $262K *

Join us to lead diverse space electronics programs, driving performance through cost, schedule, and risk management while collaborating with engineering teams and ensuring exceptional customer interfa...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$155K - $195K *

Lead spectrum management initiatives to enhance Army electromagnetic warfare capabilities. Shape frequency proposals, ensure compliance, and provide expert support during operational events, bridging...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$148K - $201K *

Reimagine enterprise IT solutions by tackling complex challenges across 28 disciplines. Collaborate with engineers to enhance system effectiveness, automate processes, and drive innovation in a dynami...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $201K *

Engage in complex enterprise IT challenges, driving innovative solutions across 28 disciplines. Collaborate with teams to enhance system effectiveness, security, and compliance while automating proces...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $201K *

Accelerate progress at the enterprise level by solving complex IT challenges, enhancing system capabilities, and automating processes across diverse engineering disciplines to improve operational effe...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Elevate satellite mission success by ensuring on-orbit programs meet objectives. Collaborate with engineering teams to manage requirements, develop procedures, and execute mission operations, leveragi...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $120K *

Drive safety analysis by identifying hazards and recommending mitigations. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with safety standards and enhance system safety through rigorous assessments and...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in enhancing system safety by analyzing hazards, assessing risks, and recommending mitigations. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance with safety standards and improve operationa...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Lead cross-functional teams as a Principal Project Engineer, managing design, validation, and production processes. Drive technical execution and program performance while ensuring alignment with proj...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $155K *

Lead the charge in technical execution and integration within a dynamic engineering environment, ensuring alignment across product lines and driving efficient development in predictive maintenance and...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$129K - $239K *

Transform your career by leading systems engineering efforts to enhance missile defense capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical solutions and drive innovation in sys...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Elevate engineering excellence by leading multi-disciplinary teams, driving innovation, and transforming prototypes into production-ready solutions while fostering collaboration and mentoring talent a...

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $158K *

Engineer advanced processing systems by leading hardware design activities, ensuring technical integrity and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams leveraging Digital Transformation to innov...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$108K - $130K *

Lead the charge in cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring robust systems engineering and risk management strategies while collaborating with federal agencies to enhance security protocols and technologie...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$129K - $193K *

Drive product support excellence by managing configuration processes and logistics analysis for unmanned systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance supportability and ensure complianc...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$126K - $189K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in manufacturing test engineering. Lead a skilled group, enhance processes, and collaborate across multiple sites to ensure excellence in operations and project e...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $154K *

Join a dynamic team as a hands-on developer, modernizing ground software systems through innovative solutions, collaborating in an agile environment, and mentoring junior engineers to enhance their sk...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $154K *

Develop innovative software solutions to modernize ground systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams in an agile environment. Engage in the full software lifecycle, mentoring peers and ensurin...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$180K - $220K *

Engineer system excellence by developing models and simulations that enhance SoC/IP project outcomes. Collaborate across teams to define requirements while optimizing architectures for performance, po...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's driving innovation by leading the development of cutting-edge software and automation solutions for military electronics in dynamic environments. Collaborate across disciplines to e...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.