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Chief System Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

kgs

Chief System Engineer (CSE)

Arlington, VA

Ten (10) years' experience as a Chief System Engineer (CSE), or a Deputy CSE for a major technology program (or portfolio of programs) valued at over $100M to include experience providing leadership ...

kgs

Chief System Engineer (CSE)

Arlington, VA

Ten (10) years' experience as a Chief System Engineer (CSE), or a Deputy CSE for a major technology program (or portfolio of programs) valued at over $100M to include experience providing leadership ...

Koniag, Inc.

Chief System Engineer (CSE)

Arlington, VA · On-site

$171K - $194K/yr

Ten (10) years' experience as a Chief System Engineer (CSE), or a Deputy CSE for a major technology program (or portfolio of programs) valued at over $100M to include experience providing leadership ...

KBR

Chief Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA

$213K - $260K/yr

Chief Systems Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team ... Process, or system engineering of large complex System of Systems or Service Oriented Architecture ...

KBR, Inc.

Chief Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$213K - $260K/yr

Chief Systems Engineer Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team ... Process, or system engineering of large complex System of Systems or Service Oriented Architecture ...

Maximus

Chief Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

While embedded in the program, the Chief Systems Engineer operates with enterprise authority ... enforcing systems engineering rigor, standards, and lifecycle discipline consistent with ...

SAIC

Space Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

This position is 'downward facing' in its responsibility for system level space and ground requirements as flowed down and 'upward facing' with functional enterprise requirements. The Chief Systems ...

SAIC

Space Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA

This position is 'downward facing' in its responsibility for system level space and ground requirements as flowed down and 'upward facing' with functional enterprise requirements. The Chief Systems ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsChief System Engineer JobsChief System Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Chief System Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$36.8K

$105.3K

$205K

How much do chief system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief system engineer in Washington, DC is $105,269.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,800.00 and $135,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief System Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectChief System EngineerSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like INCOSE CSEPBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing projects, strategic planningTechnical role focused on system design and integration
Industry UsageUsed in aerospace, defense, large-scale systems projectsCommon across IT, aerospace, manufacturing
ResponsibilitiesLeading system development, coordinating teams, ensuring system integrityDesigning, analyzing, and testing system components

The main difference is that the Chief System Engineer holds a leadership position responsible for overseeing entire projects and teams, while the Systems Engineer focuses on technical system design and implementation. Both roles require engineering credentials, but the Chief System Engineer has broader strategic and managerial duties.

What are Chief System Engineers?

Chief System Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing the design, integration, and management of complex engineering systems within an organization. They coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensure that all system components work together efficiently, and address technical challenges throughout a project's lifecycle. Their role often includes setting engineering standards, managing requirements, and ensuring that systems meet business objectives and compliance standards. Chief System Engineers also serve as the primary technical point of contact for stakeholders and play a key role in strategic decision-making.

How does a Chief System Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

A Chief System Engineer plays a pivotal role in bridging technical and non-technical teams, ensuring that system requirements align with overall business objectives. They frequently coordinate with project managers, software and hardware engineers, and stakeholders to define system architecture, troubleshoot integration issues, and maintain clear communication throughout the project lifecycle. Effective collaboration often involves leading design reviews, facilitating technical discussions, and ensuring that all team members are aligned on project milestones and deliverables. This collaborative approach helps minimize risks and ensures the delivery of robust, scalable systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief System Engineer, you need deep expertise in systems engineering, architecture design, and project management, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (e.g., SysML, MATLAB), requirements management platforms, and certifications like INCOSE CSEP are typically required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and stakeholder alignment. These skills ensure effective system integration, innovation, and delivery of complex projects on time and within budget.
What are popular job titles related to Chief System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Chief System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chief System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Chief System Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Chief System Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,269 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Chief System Engineer (CSE)

kgs

Arlington, VA

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Koniag Management Solutions, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Chief System Engineer (CSE) with a TS/SCI security clearance to support KMS and our government customer at the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. This position is for a Future New Business Opportunity.   

We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.

Essential Functions, Responsibilities & Duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Leadership and Security:
  •  Ten (10) years’ experience as a Chief System Engineer (CSE), or a Deputy CSE for a major technology program (or portfolio of programs) valued at over $100M to include experience providing leadership and oversight of complex technology design, manufacturing, integration, and/or test programs.
  • Eight (8) years’ experience in leadership capacity on classified programs at the SCI level or higher.
  • Alternate Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) Operational and Technical Experience:
  •  Eight (8) years’ experience in military tactics and technical methods focused on control and protection of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) data in contested environments, to include role of C5ISRT to support
  • military operations.
  • Five (5) years’ experience of overseeing technical requirements and assessments for new and emerging capabilities.
  • Five (5) years’ experience executing activities in support of the DoD 5000 series acquisition lifecycle process.
  • Five (5) years’ experience using Agile Development processes.
  • Five (5) years’ experience establishing and managing a formal risk management process for a technology development program.

Education:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, scientific, or technical discipline that is related to PNT and/or C5ISRT.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • Military or DoW experience.
  • C5ISRT and C-C5ISRT: Eight (8) years’ experience with systems that integrate and analyze data from multiple sources and countering these systems

Clearance Requirement:

  • TS/SCI (SAP eligible)

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our website, please get in touch with Heaven Wood via e-mail at accommodations@koniag-gs.com or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations.

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352

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