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.
Mission IT Integration Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Transform mission-critical computing environments by developing architectures and technology strategies. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze complex problems and create actionable recommendations...
5 days ago
Mission IT Integration Engineer
$129K - $193K *
Shape the future of mission-critical computing by developing innovative architectures and technology strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges in cloud computin...
5 days ago
Senior DevOps Engineer | TS/SCI
$120K - $145K *
Join a mission-driven team as you optimize cloud infrastructure, develop automated solutions, and manage Kubernetes environments. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance operational efficiency a...
4 weeks ago
Senior DevOps Engineer | TS/SCI
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance cloud infrastructure, automate processes, and support Kubernetes deployments while collaborating closely with software engineers to ensure reliable, scalable, and effici...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Electrical Design Engineer
$104K - $173K *
Innovate spacecraft solar array systems as a technical expert, leading development, testing, and integration efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance power systems for space mission...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading complex control system projects, providing engineering expertise, and ensuring exceptional customer service. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and within b...
Reposted 1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead facilities engineering and maintenance operations across multiple sites, ensuring compliance, optimizing performance, and mentoring staff. Drive continuous improvement and emergency response stra...
4 days ago
UAS Software Integration Engineer
$120K - $160K *
Engineer advanced integration solutions for UAS & RPA systems, focusing on hardware and software architectures. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance mission-critical control stations, ensuring t...
Reposted today
Principal Cybersecurity Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of cybersecurity for the Air Force. Lead critical initiatives in risk management and system security while collaborating with top experts to ensure mission succes...
4 weeks ago
Reliability Engineering Asc Mgr - L4
$104K - $194K *
Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team focused on reliability and testability for advanced sensor systems. Drive innovation and oversee critical projects while mentoring talent and collaborat...
1 week ago
$117K - $195K *
Grow your career with a leading role in systems engineering for complex spacecraft, focusing on design, requirements management, and verification activities to ensure mission success and foster collab...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $158K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing product quality through rigorous evaluations, collaboration, and innovative strategies. Drive improvements in processes and systems while ensuring compliance...
Yesterday
Sr. Structural Analysis Engineer
$104K - $173K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to conduct structural analysis on advanced spacecraft, ensuring design integrity through rigorous testing and collaboration on complex engineering challenges...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Assurance Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive excellence in satellite procurement programs by providing expert product assurance engineering support throughout design, assembly, and launch phases, ensuring quality standards and effective re...
Yesterday
$143K - $186K *
Optimize network design and administration through innovative solutions, ensuring robust performance and security of enterprise networking technology while collaborating with IT staff and vendors for...
Reposted 4 days ago
$79K - $118K *
Drive innovation by collaborating with teams to develop advanced systems architecture and requirements for cutting-edge flight technologies, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and enhancing sys...
6 days ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$107K - $204K *
Drive innovative cybersecurity solutions for connected systems by leading research and development efforts. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges and enhance the securi...
1 week ago
$140K - $176K *
Engineer innovative systems solutions by leading cross-functional teams, driving project execution, and ensuring alignment with industry standards to enhance operational efficiency and safety across d...
Today
Senior Principal Systems Engineer, Hardware Tech Lead Onsite
$132K - $251K *
Empower innovation in radar systems as you lead hardware integration and testing teams. Collaborate across disciplines to tackle complex engineering challenges while mentoring junior engineers in a dy...
3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Systems Engineer, Hardware Tech Lead Onsite
$132K - $251K *
Advance your career by leading hardware tech solutions for radar systems. Collaborate with technical teams, mentor junior engineers, and address complex issues in a dynamic, fast-paced environment foc...
3 weeks ago
$97K - $146K *
Champion the design and management of cloud network infrastructure, ensuring the availability and functionality of applications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive secure, reliabl...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $190K *
Shape the future of autonomy by leading technical direction in Perception, Prediction, and Planning. As the senior-most contributor, you'll influence cross-stack design and ensure functional architect...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$166K - $200K *
Champion the evolution of autonomous systems by driving innovative solutions in Perception, Prediction, and Planning. Influence the entire autonomy stack while collaborating with cross-functional team...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. Manufacturing Engineering Team Lead
$103K - $218K *
Lead a dynamic team of engineers to innovate solutions for national security programs, focusing on opto-mechanical manufacturing. Balance technical expertise with supervisory responsibilities to drive...
Reposted 5 days ago
Sr. Principal Systems Engineer, Sustainment Tech Lead Onsite
$132K - $251K *
Transform radar systems engineering by leading a team to enhance performance, manage customer interactions, and drive continuous improvement in processes and tools for military sales and support...
2 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.