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.
Engineering & Mission Integration Lead
$99K - $225K *
Join as a strategic leader, driving program excellence and client relations across complex Navy engagements. Lead teams, innovate in technology development, and expand business opportunities for susta...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
F-22 Senior Software Test Manager (Systems Engineer)
$120K - $145K *
Engage in a dynamic role supporting the F-22 Program Office, managing software testing and engineering activities. Collaborate with military stakeholders to enhance testing efficiency and ensure progr...
2 weeks ago
Senior Systems Integration Engineer
$113K - $188K *
Lead the charge in optimizing systems engineering processes to enhance product reliability and efficiency. Collaborate across teams to drive design improvements and reduce service costs, ensuring high...
6 days ago
Senior Systems Integration Engineer
$113K - $188K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing systems engineering processes, enhancing turbine operations, and driving innovative design solutions to improve service efficiency and reliability across the...
6 days ago
$140K - $180K *
Drive your career by enabling Army C5ISR interoperability and cross-domain integration. Collaborate with military and foreign partners to enhance command and control systems, ensuring seamless data ex...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Engineer cutting-edge solutions in shipboard mechanical and electrical systems. Provide vital support in documentation, material research, and quality assurance to enhance naval vessel performance and...
3 weeks ago
Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE)
$120K - $206K *
Engage in critical cybersecurity efforts, assessing risks and vulnerabilities while supporting NMCC operations. Provide expertise in security engineering and system hardening, ensuring resilience acro...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive improvements in on-prem IT infrastructures by optimizing and securing enterprise systems. Collaborate in a dynamic team to manage deployments, monitor performance, and enhance cybersecurity capa...
3 weeks ago
Information Systems Security Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Lead the charge in designing and integrating secure computing environments while collaborating with engineering teams to ensure compliance with IA policies and risk management. Your expertise will sha...
3 weeks ago
Information Systems Security Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Unlock your potential by contributing to cutting-edge security engineering teams, ensuring the integrity of secure networking and computing environments while engaging with diverse stakeholders to saf...
3 weeks ago
Systems Engineer, Level 3 (AE26100853)
$108K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading cybersecurity initiatives, developing threat detection strategies, and ensuring compliance with federal policies. Collaborate with teams to enhance system integrity and sec...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer - Senior (Software, Compute, and Autonomy - ICT)
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading systems engineering efforts in advanced Air Force capabilities. Collaborate across disciplines to develop and integrate software, autonomy, and compute solutions, ensuri...
1 week ago
Enterprise Architect Principal
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of enterprise architecture by leading strategic initiatives, translating business goals into scalable solutions, and guiding cross-functional teams in integrating complex healthcare a...
1 week ago
Lead Systems Engineer - Integration and Test
$107K - $195K *
Lead the integration and testing of innovative Directed Energy systems, managing a skilled team to ensure successful execution within technical and budget constraints while collaborating with stakehol...
2 weeks ago
Space Payload Systems/Principal Systems Engineer
$87K - $131K *
Champion systems engineering efforts for space subsystems and payloads, overseeing full lifecycle processes from mission design to operational support, ensuring integration, verification, and validati...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Systems Engineer - XTR-2
$95K - $181K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in radar systems engineering. This role involves architecture design, requirements modeling, and integration for advanced radar technologies, ensuring seamless ha...
Reposted yesterday
Principal Electrical Engineer - (board level design)
$130K - $155K *
Invent the future of defense technology by leading high-speed electrical design projects. Collaborate to create robust board solutions for mission-critical systems, ensuring reliability and performanc...
3 weeks ago
Principal Electrical Engineer - (board level design)
$130K - $155K *
Lead innovative hardware design initiatives in mission-critical environments. Provide technical oversight and mentorship while engaging in complex electrical engineering projects and collaborating wit...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower security excellence by building and maturing our security operations. Lead incident response, vulnerability management, and engineering initiatives while fostering a strong security culture ac...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $180K *
Empower Partner Nation systems by integrating Army C5ISR capabilities into joint-level networks. Collaborate with military and foreign partners to ensure seamless interoperability and enhance operatio...
2 weeks ago
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$130K - $155K *
Lead the strategy and roadmap for innovative Autonomous Ground Support Equipment, ensuring alignment with customer needs and operational goals. Drive product execution, mentor teams, and establish bes...
2 days ago
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$145K - $175K *
Empower the future of aviation by defining the product strategy and roadmap for cutting-edge Autonomous Ground Support Equipment. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliabi...
2 days ago
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$145K - $175K *
Advance the AGSE Service strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment across teams while driving product performance and reliability for autonomous ground support equipment in the aviation sector...
2 days ago
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of autonomous ground support equipment by defining product strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with customer needs and operational realities while leading a cross-functional team...
2 days ago
Staff Product Manager, AGSE Service
$135K - $160K *
Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...
2 days 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.