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Engineering Department Head Jobs (NOW HIRING)

A & Associates

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Department Head

Dallas, TX · On-site

$23.50 - $45/hr

Department Head - Live Event & Stage Production Location: Dallas, TX Job Type: Event-Based ... Experience programming or operating professional electronic control systems. * Strong ...

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The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION SPECIFICS We are searching for a highly motivated and experienced Department Head to join our Engineering Systems Research and Development Division of the Undersea Systems Office (USO) at ...

JerseySTEM, Inc.

DEVT000: Department Head

... Engineering, and Math ("STEM") education to 5th-8th grade girls in New Jersey underserved ... The Development Department Head provides leadership, direction and planning to identify, reach out ...

Fall River Public Schools

BCBA Department Head

Fall River, MA · On-site

$75K - $92K/yr

BCBA Department Head JobID: 1789 * Position Type: FRAA * Date Posted: 8/5/2026 * Location: Fall ... Oversight of substantially separate programming at assigned schools. * Provides BCBA consultative ...

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How much do engineering department head jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for engineering department head in the United States is $16.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $15.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an engineering department head?

Engineering Department Heads are senior leaders responsible for overseeing all operations within an engineering department of an organization. They manage teams of engineers, set departmental goals, allocate resources, and ensure projects are completed efficiently and to required standards. Additionally, they play a critical role in strategic planning, talent development, and fostering innovation within the engineering team. Their leadership ensures the technical direction and objectives of the company are achieved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an engineering department head?

To thrive as an Engineering Department Head, you need extensive experience in engineering principles, project management, and leadership, often supported by an engineering degree and relevant managerial experience. Familiarity with industry-standard design software, project management tools, and certifications such as PMP or PE are typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and team-building abilities help you motivate teams and drive organizational goals. These skills ensure effective leadership, efficient project delivery, and alignment of technical teams with business objectives.

What are some typical challenges faced by an engineering department head, and how can they be effectively managed?

As an Engineering Department Head, you may encounter challenges such as balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational demands, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely project delivery while maintaining high quality standards. Effective management often involves strong communication skills, the ability to delegate tasks appropriately, and fostering a collaborative team culture. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and implementing continuous improvement processes can also help address these challenges and drive the department’s success.

What is the difference between Engineering Department Head vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineering Department HeadMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, strategic planningDesign, analyze, and develop mechanical systems
Industry UsageUsed in organizations with multiple engineering teamsUsed in product design, manufacturing, R&D

The Engineering Department Head focuses on leadership, management, and strategic oversight of engineering teams, while Mechanical Engineers concentrate on designing and developing mechanical systems. Both roles require engineering credentials, but the Department Head emphasizes leadership and project management, whereas Mechanical Engineers focus on technical expertise and innovation.

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Cities with the most Engineering Department Head job openings:

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What are popular job titles related to Engineering Department Head jobs?

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Infographic showing various Engineering Department Head job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,874 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department Head

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SLAC National Accelerator Laboratoryexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Engineering Division at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a mechanical engineer to lead the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department.
LCLS is an X-ray Free Electron (FEL) facility, operated by Stanford University at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, on behalf of the Department of Energy / Office of Science. This facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community, covering a broad research portfolio that includes the development of advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems; drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals; and fundamental studies of astrophysical phenomena. Seven (7) independent instruments are specifically designed to utilize the unique beam characteristics of the LCLS to meet these scientific objectives.
The Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department supports LCLS with mechanical engineers and engineering physicists. The department supports the design, operations, and maintenance of the X-ray beam paths to ensure systems meet experimental requirements and reliably deliver X-ray photons on target. This includes developing mechatronic and optomechanical systems to precisely control X-ray beam alignment, wavefront, and timing. And the design, characterization, and procurement of high-performance X-ray mirrors. This department operates off-line laboratories for advanced metrology of X-ray mirrors and new techniques to clean mirror coatings in situ.
As the head of the Beam Delivery Systems Engineering Department, in addition to engineering responsibilities, you will manage a team of engineers, provide supervision, guidance and training, foster staff development, promote engineering rigor, and participate in hiring activities to support the LCLS mission. This position administratively reports to the LCLS Engineering Division Leader within the LCLS Directorate.
Your specific responsibilities include:
  • Provide engineering leadership for new initiatives that advances advance X-ray experimental capabilities through delivery of complex scientific instrumentation, X-ray and laser system opto-mechanical systems, experiment and beamline diagnostics, and target delivery systems.
  • Provide engineering leadership for the integration and testing of systems and devices, working with staff scientists, fabrication facilities and personnel, and technicians.
  • Responsible for the execution and delivery of technical scope, within budget and on schedule, with a high degree of quality assurance using standardized engineering processes.
  • May function as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in project management roles.
  • Promote adherence to the LCLS Conduct of Engineering, ensuring engineering rigor with accurate documentation and engineering review.
  • Provide the department with leadership in project engineering to support system development, integration, commissioning and the effective transfer of new capabilities to operations.
  • Prepare and conduct performance management activities for department personnel and contribute to the LCLS engineering ranking and salary management processes.
  • Influence strategic technical decisions made by LCLS senior management.
  • Contribute to the definition of complex engineering solutions for X-ray based experiments.
  • Perform engineering duties requiring significant scheduling and budgeting responsibility.
To be successful in this position you will bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field and at least eight years of experience with the design and operation of beam delivery systems.
  • Leadership, interpersonal skills, organizational, and supervisory skills to lead personnel, write performance appraisals, and actively participate in ranking and hiring activities.
  • Experience with engineering tools such as Solid Edge, ANSYS and/or MATLAB.
  • Ability to promote and maintain productive relationships across LCLS and SLAC.
  • Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills, necessary to present, explain, and advise LCLS senior management and/or external sponsors.
  • Experience working independently and responsively to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines
  • Manufacturing, assembly, and installation coordination of complex systems.
  • Exercising sound engineering judgment.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a diverse team environment.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
  • An advanced degree and experience with scientific instrumentation, project management, and/or technical supervision.
  • Experience in X-ray FEL, synchrotron, metrology, and/or laser system engineering.
  • Experience with user facilities and/or national laboratories.
  • Formal training/experience in systems engineering processes and methodologies

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