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Interim Chief Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ports North

Interim CTO

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Position Overview Our client is seeking an Interim Chief ... Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on technology strategy, engineering ...

Outsourceit

Interim CTO

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$150 - $250/hr

A stealth-mode fintech group operating in the cross-border payments space requires an Interim CTO ... The successful candidate will inherit a team of 18 engineers, an existing microservices ...

JLL

Assistant Chief Engineer

Nashville, TN

$36 - $40/hr

Ability to serve as interim Chief Engineer during absences. * Familiarity with OSHA regulations and JLL safety culture. * Proactive in identifying and proposing cost savings. * Experience in Museum ...

The Bronx

Interim Chief Technology Officer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$320 - $360/hr

Oversee technology vision, software architecture, engineering leadership, infrastructure, security ... a CTO, VP of Engineering, or similar executive role. * Proven success building, scaling, and ...

The Newark Museum of Art

Controller

Newark, NJ · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

... Interim CFO Consultant & Interim COO About The Newark Museum of Art : We acknowledge the ... programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre ...

The Newark Museum of Art

Controller

Newark, NJ · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

... Interim CFO Consultant & Interim COO About The Newark Museum of Art : We acknowledge the ... programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre ...

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All JobsInterim Chief Engineer Jobs

Interim Chief Engineer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$92.9K

$181K

How much do interim chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for interim chief engineer in the United States is $92,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is interim chief engineer a high position?

An interim chief engineer is a temporary leadership role responsible for overseeing engineering operations and projects. While it is a senior position, it is typically considered a temporary or transitional role rather than a permanent executive position, and its level of authority depends on the organization’s structure. The role often requires extensive technical expertise and management skills.

What is the difference between Interim Chief Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectInterim Chief EngineerProject Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineer license, management experienceEngineering degree, relevant certifications, project management skills
Work EnvironmentOversees engineering teams, strategic planning, high-level decision makingManages specific projects, coordinates teams, ensures project delivery
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in construction, manufacturing, infrastructure projectsCommon in construction, civil engineering, industrial projects

The Interim Chief Engineer typically holds higher-level credentials and oversees engineering operations at a strategic level, while a Project Engineer focuses on managing individual projects. Both roles are essential in engineering industries, but they differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an interim chief engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interim Chief Engineer, you need deep expertise in engineering principles, project management, and a relevant engineering degree, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software, building management systems, and industry standards is typically required, along with experience in budgeting and compliance tools. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial for managing teams and coordinating with stakeholders. These competencies ensure that technical operations run smoothly, projects meet deadlines, and organizational goals are achieved during leadership transitions.

What are some unique challenges an interim chief engineer might face when stepping into an organization temporarily?

As an Interim Chief Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as quickly acclimating to the organization's technical environment and team dynamics, while maintaining project continuity. You’ll need to rapidly assess ongoing initiatives, identify priority issues, and establish trust with engineering teams and stakeholders. Balancing short-term problem-solving with strategic planning, often without the benefit of a long onboarding period, requires adaptability and strong communication skills. Interim roles often demand immediate impact, so being proactive and decisive is key to success.

What is an interim chief engineer?

An Interim Chief Engineer is a senior engineering professional temporarily appointed to lead and oversee engineering operations, typically during a transition period or while a permanent chief engineer is being recruited. They are responsible for managing engineering teams, ensuring project deadlines are met, maintaining equipment and systems, and supporting organizational goals. Their role often involves troubleshooting technical issues, implementing best practices, and facilitating communication between departments to ensure smooth operations. Interim Chief Engineers are valuable for providing stability and continuity during periods of change.
More about Interim Chief Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Chief Engineer jobs are:

What job categories do people searching Interim Chief Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Interim Chief Engineer jobs are:

Interim Chief Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Interim Chief Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,945 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Interim CTO

Ports North

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$180 - $260/hr

Other

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Position Overview

Our client is seeking an Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to provide executive leadership during a period of organizational and technology transformation. This executive will serve as a stabilizing presence for the technology organization while evaluating the current state, identifying improvement opportunities, and helping establish the foundation for a long-term technology strategy. The engagement is expected to last approximately 3-6 months while a permanent CTO search is completed.

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide steady leadership and guidance to the technology organization during a leadership transition.
  • Assess the current technology organization, including leadership structure, team capabilities, operating model, and technical functions.
  • Partner closely with executive stakeholders to evaluate the current technology landscape and define recommendations for a future-state organization.
  • Develop and document a prioritized set of strategic, operational, and organizational initiatives for the incoming permanent CTO.
  • Lead efforts to document current application architecture, infrastructure, platforms, and technology operations.
  • Identify organizational, technology, and process risks that could impact scalability, execution, or business objectives.
  • Establish recommendations for technology governance, organizational design, and execution practices.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on technology strategy, engineering effectiveness, and transformation initiatives.
  • Support a seamless transition to the permanent CTO through comprehensive documentation, knowledge transfer, and transition planning.
Qualifications
  • Previous experience as a CTO, Chief Technology Executive, EVP Technology, or comparable senior technology leader.
  • Proven success leading technology organizations through transformation, modernization, or organizational change.
  • Deep background across software engineering, architecture, infrastructure, cloud technologies, and technology operations.
  • Experience conducting organizational assessments and building future-state operating models.
  • Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to quickly assess complex environments, establish credibility, and drive alignment across leadership teams.
Preferred Experience
  • Financial services, fintech, payments, lending, banking, or other highly regulated industry experience.
  • Experience supporting private equity-backed or growth-stage organizations.
  • Prior interim executive leadership or consulting experience.
  • Experience partnering closely with Product and Operations leaders to improve organizational alignment and delivery effectiveness.
Engagement Details
  • Interim executive engagement (approximately 3-6 months).
  • Focused on assessment, stabilization, transformation planning, organizational evaluation, and transition readiness.
  • Executive-level interaction across Technology, Product, Operations, and senior leadership teams.
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