Director, Engineering Excellence

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Director, Engineering Excellence to lead strategic programs that drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, enterprise data governance, cybersecurity initiatives, and engineering capability development across a global R&D organization.

This leadership role serves as a critical link between Product Business Units (PBUs), IT, Engineering, Procurement, Legal, and Corporate Functions. The successful candidate will oversee a broad portfolio of enterprise-wide initiatives while leading teams, driving organizational improvements, supporting digital transformation, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Product Sustainability

Lead global substance compliance programs, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements and sustainability standards.

Oversee supplier compliance initiatives, conflict minerals reporting, and environmental reporting programs.

Manage enterprise compliance tools, standards subscriptions, and related digital platforms.

Collaborate with Procurement, Legal, Sustainability, and external partners to ensure regulatory compliance across the supply chain.

Monitor emerging regulations and develop strategies to mitigate compliance risks.

Data Governance & Engineering Data Management

Lead enterprise data governance initiatives supporting engineering, product development, and manufacturing operations.

Oversee large-scale product data migration and transformation projects.

Drive adoption of standardized parts management, global components libraries, and enterprise data quality programs.

Establish governance frameworks that ensure data accuracy, consistency, and usability across business units.

Sponsor automation and AI-driven initiatives to improve engineering data management and operational efficiency.

Provide strategic direction for Product Lifecycle

Management (PLM) and master data management systems.

Cybersecurity & Technology Risk Management

Lead enterprise cybersecurity improvement programs across engineering environments.

Partner with IT and security teams to manage initiatives related to vulnerability management, identity management, infrastructure security, cloud environments, and endpoint protection.

Develop reporting frameworks that provide visibility into cybersecurity performance, risk exposure, and remediation actions.

Support secure engineering practices and regulatory compliance related to cybersecurity requirements.

Drive continuous improvement of cybersecurity governance and risk mitigation processes.

Sustainability & Strategic Programs

Lead strategic sustainability initiatives impacting products, operations, and engineering processes.

Coordinate cross-functional programs supporting environmental compliance and sustainability objectives.

Drive adoption of sustainability metrics, methodologies, and reporting practices across engineering teams.

Facilitate alignment between engineering strategy, product roadmaps, and corporate sustainability goals.

Leadership & Talent Development

Lead, coach, and develop global teams across multiple disciplines.

Build a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Drive talent development, succession planning, leadership growth, and employee engagement initiatives.

Support diversity, inclusion, and organizational capability-building programs.

Establish learning and development plans that strengthen technical, leadership, and professional competencies.

Executive Reporting & Organizational Excellence

Provide executive-level reporting on strategic programs, compliance initiatives, operational metrics, and organizational performance.

Present progress, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

Drive governance, program management standards, and operational excellence practices across the organization.

Ensure transparency, consistency, and accountability across all Engineering Excellence initiatives.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Champion a culture of innovation throughout the organization.

Sponsor technology initiatives, innovation programs, and continuous improvement activities.

Encourage invention disclosures, idea generation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Promote adoption of emerging technologies, digital transformation, AI, and automation opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Data Science, Business, or a related discipline.

Minimum 10 years of leadership experience within engineering, operations, compliance, or technology organizations.

Proven experience leading complex global programs across multiple regions and business units.

Strong background in regulatory compliance, engineering operations, data governance, or related fields.

Experience working with enterprise systems such as SAP, PLM, ERP, or data governance platforms.

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.

Experience managing large transformation programs involving engineering, IT, legal, procurement, and business teams.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in Engineering, Business

Administration, Data Analytics, or a related field.

Certifications in Program Management, Product

Lifecycle Management, Compliance, Data Governance, or Cybersecurity.

Experience in manufacturing, industrial technology, building technologies, or global engineering organizations.

Knowledge of AI, automation, analytics, and digital transformation technologies.

Experience managing global teams and multi-regional organizations.

Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership

Engineering Operations Excellence

Program & Portfolio Management

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

Data Governance & Analytics

Cybersecurity & Risk Management

Change Management

Cross-Functional Influence

Executive Communication

Talent Development & Coaching

Innovation & Digital Transformation

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by

Effective execution of enterprise-wide strategic programs.

Achievement of compliance and regulatory objectives.

Improvements in data governance, data quality, and operational efficiency.

Successful delivery of cybersecurity and risk mitigation initiatives.

Development and engagement of high-performing global teams.

Adoption of innovation and continuous improvement practices.

Delivery of clear, accurate, and impactful executive reporting.

Achievement of organizational transformation and business performance goals.