Director of Engineering (Defense / Electromechanical Systems)
PrideStaff
Farmingdale, NY · Posted October 13, 2026
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Engineering jobs in the rankings
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 52 open director of engineering listings that state pay, the middle half runs $215,500 to $297,000 and the median is $264,000.
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Director of Engineering salaries by state · Check your own pay
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among architectural and engineering managers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for architectural and engineering managers: 3% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
Engineering Director (Defense / Electromechanical Systems)
Location: Farmingdale, NY Area (On-site)
Position Type: Full-Time / Permanent
Compensation: $190,000 – $215,000 / year (Commensurate with experience)
Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Position Overview
We are seeking a seasoned, strategic Engineering Director to lead our multidisciplinary engineering and R&D operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this senior leadership role will oversee the design, development, and production execution of advanced defense and electromechanical systems.
The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership capabilities, a proven track record in the Defense Industry , and an engineering background capable of guiding complex technical programs from concept through production. You will directly lead the Research & Design (R&D) team while collaborating alongside two existing Engineering Managers to drive technical excellence, program delivery, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Executive & Team Leadership: Directly lead, mentor, and build a high-performing Research & Design (R&D) engineering team and technical staff. Drive performance evaluations, career development, coaching, and succession planning.
Reporting & Collaboration: Report directly to the COO while working closely with peer Engineering Managers, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain leadership to align program priorities and execution.
Program & Lifecycle Management: Oversee complete product lifecycles from early concept and design through manufacturing, qualification, and field support.
R&D & Technical Strategy: Guide technical direction and innovation for defense and electromechanical products, establishing engineering priorities, milestone schedules, and budget accountability.
Process & Operations Optimization: Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering processes, design methodologies, quality standards, and regulatory/defense compliance.
Resource Allocation: Manage engineering priorities and staffing allocation across multiple concurrent defense programs to meet delivery deadlines.
Qualifications & Requirements
Industry Experience: Proven engineering management background in the Defense / Aerospace sector is required.
Leadership Experience: Significant experience managing direct-report engineering teams, with a strong emphasis on people management, mentorship, and operational leadership.
Educational & Technical Background: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electromechanical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related engineering discipline preferred).
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated history of partnering effectively with Executive Leadership, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
Compliance & Standards: Knowledge of defense procurement, program execution, and quality management standards.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary Range: $190,000 to $215,000 annually , depending on candidate expertise and background fit.
Full corporate benefits package (Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO).
High-growth leadership role with direct executive influence and team-building opportunities.
Compensation / Pay Rate (Up to): $190,000.00 - $215,000.00