1

Director Hardware Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL

For more information, visit Introduction We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Director of Engineering to lead our software, firmware, and hardware engineering teams building government ...

Head of Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Role Summary Own the full hardware (HW) lifecycle for GutLab, from architecture & subsystem ... on engineering depth with strategic judgment to ensure current systems perform reliably in the ...

Director, Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$190K - $210K/yr

We are a 2x Australia Good Design Award winner and successfully completed the largest hardware ... The Director, Engineering is accountable for enabling high-performing engineering squads to deliver ...

Director, Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$190 - $210/hr

We are a 2x Australia Good Design Award winner and successfully completed the largest hardware ... The Director, Engineering is accountable for enabling high-performing engineering squads to deliver ...

We are a 2x Australia Good Design Award winner and successfully completed the largest hardware ... The Director, Engineering is accountable for enabling high-performing engineering squads to deliver ...

We are a 2x Australia Good Design Award winner and successfully completed the largest hardware ... The Director, Engineering is accountable for enabling high-performing engineering squads to deliver ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Director Hardware Engineering information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$75.2K

$200.6K

$261.7K

How much do director hardware engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director hardware engineering in Chicago, IL is $200,579.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,800.00 and $260,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of hardware engineering do?

A Director of Hardware Engineering leads and oversees teams responsible for designing, developing, and testing hardware components and systems. This role involves setting technical direction, managing budgets and resources, and ensuring that projects meet performance, quality, and timeline goals. Directors also collaborate with other departments such as software engineering, product management, and manufacturing to deliver integrated solutions. Additionally, they play a key role in strategic planning and mentoring engineering talent within the organization.

How does a director of hardware engineering typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product development cycle?

A Director of Hardware Engineering plays a pivotal role in coordinating with cross-functional teams such as software engineering, product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance throughout the product development lifecycle. They facilitate regular meetings to align on project goals, address technical challenges, and ensure that hardware designs integrate seamlessly with other system components. Additionally, they often mediate between technical staff and executive leadership to balance innovation, cost, and timelines, while promoting effective communication and problem-solving across departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of hardware engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Hardware Engineering, you need deep expertise in hardware design, project management, and a relevant engineering degree, often backed by extensive industry experience. Familiarity with CAD tools, hardware simulation software, and certifications in project management (such as PMP) are typically important. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and aligning engineering efforts with business goals. These skills ensure the successful delivery of innovative hardware solutions, team productivity, and alignment with organizational objectives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Hardware Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Director Hardware Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Hardware Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Hardware Engineering jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Hardware Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Hardware Engineering job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $200,579 per year, or $96.4 per hour.

Hardware Engineering Manager 3

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SAPTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows Hardware Engineering Organization (HWE) is seeking a qualified candidate to lead a functionally diverse engineering organization, supporting the Targeting Systems and Advanced EO-IR products under the Targeting Systems Operating Unit (TSOU) in Rolling Meadows, IL.

The Hardware Engineering Manager of the TSOU Business Area is a highly technical dual role, with 80% technical and 20% managerial. This role will focus on three separate areas of responsibility: team leadership and management, team technical performance, and planning for the future. This position will report to the Director of Hardware Engineering as part of the senior staff.

The work performed by the HWE TSOU organization supports the TSOU business areas represented across the NT&S division at the Rolling Meadows campus. Technical areas of expertise of this organization include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering (digital, analog, power) and optical engineering. The successful candidate will clearly demonstrate strong leadership skills and will have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver. He/she has a history of establishing and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This candidate will demonstrate a broad skill set that is balanced between interpersonal, business, and technical capabilities. He / she will have the ability to operate independently based on strategic objectives, work in a team environment, and collaborate across the organization and Division as required to accomplish the team goals. The candidate will work closely with the other Hardware Engineering managers, business area directors and program managers. Key aspects of each major area of responsibility are as follows:


Team Leadership and Management: The Manager of HWE TSOU will lead a management and technical staff of approximately 80 engineers and administrative staff, supporting a variety of programs in different life cycle stages, and will ensure that the team has the resources they require to be successful. The most significant tasks included within the scope of this responsibility are:
Management of team assignments across programs and NCTA
Maintenance of and reaction to future staffing projections
Staff management & administration
Department budget management in support of utilization targets
Mentoring & career development, including training
Continuous process improvement
Team Technical Performance: The Manager of HWE TSOU will support a variety of programs in different life cycle stages. The most significant areas of accountability are:

Program performance monitoring & support with emphasis on execution within scope, budget and schedule constraints
Ensuring and monitoring of quality work products
Engineering process maintenance and enforcement
Program task management & team leadership
Optimizing and expediting the smooth transfer of design data between functional organizations and database systems

Planning for the Future: The Manager of HWE TSOU will be instrumental in setting the path for the organization and supporting the strategic direction of all supported business areas. The most significant tasks included within the scope of this area are:
Support to new business capture
Responsible for the creation, review and approval of project bids for the organization
Technology vision/roadmap definition & maintenance
Development of NCTA project definition
Thought leadership toward business model innovations

This position will be full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location

This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in relevant engineering or sciences field with 12 years of experience or a MS degree in relevant engineering or sciences field with 10 years of experience.
Minimum of 3 years experience in a management role either in a functional engineering organization or on a project with demonstrated success

Previous experience in a technical lead role(s) for product development
Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in the Defense industry or equivalent commercial experience with Program Management/Project Management duties, including operating under cost and schedule constraints.
Demonstrated success in leading, collaborating and developing cross functional teams of varying degrees of skillsets
Must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of management and individual contributors
Proficiency in computer use & typical office applications, and working knowledge of TcE, ISE, MPLM and SAP
Working familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100 and CMMI
U.S. citizenship

Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start.
Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a relevant technical area
Working familiarity with printed wiring board design
Working knowledge of drawing and document release requirements
Cost Account Management (CAM) certification

Proven record of collaboration across organizations and geographical locations

Primary Level Salary Range: $184,300.00 - $276,500.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northrop Grumman logo

About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939