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Director Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

EUGENUS INC

Staff Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Director, Mechanical Engineering Supervises: None Department: Hardware Core Technology Center Position Type : Regular/Full-Time/Salaried/ Exempt/On-Site This ME position reports to the Director ...

EUGENUS INC

Staff Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Director, Mechanical Engineering Supervises: None Department: Hardware Core Technology Center Position Type : Regular/Full-Time/Salaried/ Exempt/On-Site This ME position reports to the Director ...

KZF Design Inc

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$102K - $134K/yr

Work with Director, Mechanical Engineers and Project Managers to meet KZF goals and objectives * Respond to estimated budget hour requests from Division Managers and Project Managers * Assist project ...

KZF Design Inc

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$102K - $134K/yr

Work with Director, Mechanical Engineers and Project Managers to meet KZF goals and objectives * Respond to estimated budget hour requests from Division Managers and Project Managers * Assist project ...

Target

Director Mechanical Engineering

Minneapolis, MN

$135K - $243K/yr

As the Director of Mechanical Engineering , you will lead Target's enterprise mechanical ... Professional Engineer (PE) license. * 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience ...

Stackinfra

Director, Mechanical Engineering

Denver, CO · On-site

$209K - $234K/yr

The Director, Mechanical Engineering will support innovation initiatives, support campus master ... Professional Engineer (PE) Registration is Preferred (Mechanical) * Bachelor's degree in mechanical ...

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Director Mechanical Engineer information

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$110.6K

$188.5K

How much do director mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for director mechanical engineer in the United States is $110,589.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $145,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the main challenges faced by a director mechanical engineer when leading multidisciplinary engineering teams?

As a Director Mechanical Engineer, one of the primary challenges is effectively coordinating and communicating across teams with diverse technical backgrounds, such as electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers. Balancing the strategic vision for mechanical design with the practical constraints of budget, timeline, and resource allocation requires strong leadership and problem-solving skills. Additionally, ensuring that all team members are aligned with project goals and quality standards, while also fostering innovation and professional growth within the team, is a key responsibility in this leadership position.

What is the difference between Director Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDirector Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; often requires leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles overseeing teams and projects, strategic planningDesign, analysis, and testing of mechanical systems, hands-on work
Industry UsageUsed in large companies, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive sectorsCommon in engineering firms, manufacturing, product development

The main difference is that a Director Mechanical Engineer focuses on leadership, strategic planning, and overseeing teams, while a Mechanical Engineer is involved in technical design and analysis. The director role typically requires more experience and managerial skills, whereas the mechanical engineer role is more technical and hands-on.

What does a director mechanical engineer do?

A Director Mechanical Engineer oversees engineering teams responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical devices and systems. They set technical direction, manage large-scale projects, and ensure that engineering solutions meet organizational goals and industry standards. This role also involves mentoring engineers, coordinating with other departments, and staying up-to-date with technological advancements. The director plays a key part in strategic planning, budgeting, and fostering innovation within the mechanical engineering department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director mechanical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Mechanical Engineer, you need extensive experience in mechanical engineering principles, project management, and a relevant engineering degree, often supplemented by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and industry standards such as ASME is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing teams and cross-functional projects. These skills ensure the successful delivery of complex engineering initiatives, innovation, and organizational growth.
More about Director Mechanical Engineer jobs
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Director Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Mechanical Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,589 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Director, Mechanical Engineering

Observable Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Director of Mechanical Engineering
Location: Los Angeles, CA
About Observable Space
At Observable Space, we're redefining how humanity observes and connects with the universe. We're a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building industry-leading precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. Our systems are trusted by NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Raytheon, and the US DoD, among others, and power the work of leading research institutions.
We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded computing, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world class products. From advanced ground stations, on orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, to distributed compute platforms, we deliver the foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.
Observable Space is backed by top-tier institutional investors including Lux, Upfront Ventures, RTX Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners and Embedded Ventures.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Director of Mechanical Engineering to lead and scale our Mechanical Engineering team while remaining involved in the design and development of our products. This is a player-coach leadership role for an experienced engineering leader who enjoys solving complex technical problems as much as building high-performing teams.
As Director of Mechanical Engineering, you will provide technical direction across our mechanical systems while leading a team of engineers responsible for developing precision optomechanical hardware for advanced sensing platforms. You will help establish engineering processes, mentor and grow the team, and remain actively involved in architecture, design reviews, prototyping, and solving the most challenging engineering problems.
What You'll Do
  • Lead the design and development of complex mechanical and optomechanical systems, including telescope structures, optical support assemblies, mechanisms, and precision instrumentation.
  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of mechanical engineers across varying levels of experience.
  • Own mechanical engineering execution across multiple development programs, balancing technical quality, schedule, and business priorities.
  • Lead design reviews, perform engineering trade studies, and provide technical direction throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Partner closely with Engineering leadership to define technical roadmaps, organizational growth plans, and engineering priorities.
  • Guide structural, thermal, vibration, and tolerance analyses to ensure designs meet performance requirements.
  • Support prototyping, integration, testing, manufacturing, and production by helping solve challenging technical issues.
  • Support supplier selection, fabrication partners, and manufacturing readiness activities.
  • Establish engineering processes, design standards, documentation practices, and quality expectations that enable the team to scale.
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years designing complex mechanical systems for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-performance hardware industries.
  • Experience leading mechanical engineering teams while remaining an active technical contributor.
  • Experience leading and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated success developing products from concept through prototype, validation, manufacturing, and production.
  • Expert-level proficiency with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or equivalent.
  • Strong understanding of FEA, GD&T, tolerance analysis, DFM/DFA, precision machining, fabrication, and assembly.
  • Experience leading technical design reviews and mentoring engineers through complex design challenges.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Passion for building products, solving difficult engineering problems, and developing exceptional engineering teams.

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