Explore Director of Mechanical Engineering jobs for experienced leaders ready to guide teams, shape product strategy, and deliver complex engineering programs. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, connecting qualified candidates with senior roles across industries.
Directors of Mechanical Engineering set technical direction and lead the design, development, testing, and improvement of mechanical products and systems. They manage engineering teams, establish priorities and standards, oversee budgets and schedules, and collaborate with executives and partners in areas such as product, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
Employers commonly seek extensive mechanical engineering experience, a record of leading teams and delivering programs, and strong knowledge of product development and engineering processes. Useful capabilities include strategic planning, budgeting, project management, risk assessment, communication, and familiarity with relevant design tools and industry standards. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is often expected; some positions prefer an advanced degree.
Mechanical engineering directors work in sectors such as industrial manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy, medical devices, robotics, and technology. Depending on the organization, the role may focus on research and development, product engineering, equipment, or manufacturing systems. Senior leaders may progress to vice president of engineering, chief technology officer, or broader operations and executive roles.
Use Ladders to discover vetted Director of Mechanical Engineering opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Review role requirements, compare openings by industry and location, and identify positions that align with your leadership experience and technical expertise.
Principal Technical Program Manager - Computer Vision
$180K - $220K *
Drive the strategy and roadmap for enterprise-scale Computer Vision solutions, collaborating with internal teams to define requirements and ensure successful adoption of AI models across product portf...
3 weeks ago
Director of Customer Experience Operations
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to transform customer experience operations into a seamless, data-driven journey. Your leadership will unify departments for consistency, enabling effective strategies that enhance cus...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Director, Commercial Project Management
$201K - $251K *
Join us to lead cross-functional project management in a dynamic biotech environment. Drive global commercialization initiatives, ensuring alignment and execution across teams while enhancing operatio...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead a talented design team to shape the user experience across multiple platforms. Define interaction patterns, elevate design standards, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innova...
3 weeks ago
Director, Automation & Controls
$180K - $230K *
Lead the charge in optimizing manufacturing processes through effective management of the Automation and Controls team, ensuring strategic alignment with innovation initiatives while fostering a cultu...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Secure Access
$140K - $170K *
Advance your career by leading a dynamic team in developing secure access solutions. Drive technical direction, manage project delivery, and mentor engineers while balancing customer reliability with...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in optimizing project management processes for a VHA client team. Utilize your expertise to enhance strategic planning, decision-making, and execution while collaborating with senior s...
3 weeks ago
Lead System Protection Engineer
$126K - $164K *
Empower your career by leading the design and implementation of protective relay systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance system protection across various energy sectors, ensuring complianc...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Design Engineer (Intermediate)
$85K - $105K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with clients. This role offers the chance to enhance your expertise while contributing to impac...
6 days ago
$138K - $165K *
Empower progress at the forefront of semiconductor technology by managing process transfers and product qualifications with cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional yield and reliability standards...
Reposted 5 days ago
Prin Mechanical Engineer (SRM - Thermal Analyst) (Remote Option Available)
$114K - $154K *
Innovate mechanical designs for solid rocket motors, integrating systems and components. Lead complex engineering projects, applying advanced techniques to ensure performance and reliability. Collabor...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Member Experience
$179K - $224K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality member-facing systems. As an Engineering Manager, you'll lead a squad through the entire development lifecycle, ensuring accountability, quality...
3 weeks ago
$138K - $173K *
Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Customer Trust
$135K - $160K *
Lead and innovate within a high-impact engineering team, driving automation and transparency in customer assessments. Foster a culture of accountability while collaborating cross-functionally to deliv...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Agent Platform & Growth
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining the onboarding experience for human and AI agents by leading innovative UX and engineering teams. Drive growth through strategic roadmap ownership, hands-on leadership, a...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$162K - $238K *
Design and optimize R&D operations to enhance organizational effectiveness through data-driven insights, collaboration, and governance. Partner cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement and e...
4 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Optimize quality operations for large-scale data pipelines, ensuring high standards and consistency across diverse datasets. Lead a team to enhance efficiency and reliability in audio data processing...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Safety Engineer
$135K - $175K *
Engineer your career with a Senior Software Safety Engineer role focused on developing safety-critical autonomous systems. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance software safety process...
2 weeks ago
$126K - $176K *
Lead the charge in managing complex data center projects, ensuring safety, quality, and timely delivery. Collaborate with diverse teams to foster relationships and drive strategic improvements while e...
Yesterday
$125K - $175K *
Lead and optimize project management efforts, ensuring safety and efficiency while fostering strong relationships with clients and teams. Drive strategic improvements and mentor diverse teams to achie...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $175K *
Elevate project outcomes by leading diverse teams, ensuring safety, and driving effective communication. Leverage your expertise in construction management to enhance processes and foster strong clien...
3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Marketing Operations
$160K - $200K *
Lead the charge in optimizing top-of-funnel marketing operations, driving measurable pipeline growth through strategic planning, data governance, and team leadership. Collaborate with cross-functional...
6 days ago
Senior Director, AMER Field Marketing
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that drives strategic AMER Field Marketing initiatives, managing a skilled team to enhance pipeline growth. Lead data-driven marketing efforts across North America, LATAM, and the Public S...
4 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Developer Infrastructure
$130K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...
2 weeks ago
Director, Engineering - Substation
$199K - $251K *
Lead a high-performing engineering team to oversee substation projects, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while driving innovation and operational excellence across the organizatio...
Yesterday
What does a Director of Mechanical Engineering do?
A Director of Mechanical Engineering leads engineering teams and sets technical direction for mechanical products, systems, or processes. The role typically oversees design and development, program delivery, budgets, quality, and collaboration with other departments.
What qualifications are typically required for Director of Mechanical Engineering jobs?
Employers often look for substantial mechanical engineering experience, demonstrated people and program leadership, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Some roles prefer an advanced degree or specialized industry experience.
How much do Director of Mechanical Engineering jobs pay?
Compensation varies by industry, location, company, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; review individual listings for current salary details.
Which industries hire Directors of Mechanical Engineering?
Common industries include manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy, medical devices, robotics, and technology. Responsibilities vary with the products and systems each organization develops.
What career paths can follow this role?
Experienced directors may advance to vice president of engineering, chief technology officer, or executive positions in product development, manufacturing, or operations.