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Engineering director skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

8 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. John Ballato,

Dr. John Ballato

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical engineering director skills. We ranked the top skills for engineering directors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.2% of engineering director resumes contained java as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an engineering director needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 engineering director skills for your resume and career

1. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how engineering directors use java:

Worked on a web based interface for Triad, the company's core product, using Java and GWT.
Patent for Forecasting Model Skills Used Leadership / Engineering Management Engineering Product / Feature Design C++, Java - Programming

2. Architecture

Here's how engineering directors use architecture:

Delivered measurable and consumer perceivable product improvements in competitive areas of noise and vibration, product architecture, and power/thermal performance.
Maintained delivery of software architecture, software platform API definition, and signaling protocol specifications between client and server application.

3. Infrastructure

Infrastructure includes the organizational and physical structures needed to run an area or a society smoothly. It is a group of basic facilities required for any society or firm to run sustainably and efficiently. The infrastructural system is a high investing area and helps majorly in flourishing the economy and prosperity of a country. It is an underlying system needed for ensuring the safety and comfort of the public and to run a country smoothly. All the tasks needed to be performed for a flourishing economy and a happy and healthy public are included in infrastructure.

Here's how engineering directors use infrastructure:

Determined the current and future enterprise infrastructure which oversaw the design and implementation of information systems that support the business requirements.
Worked closely with Sales and Emerging Markets to develop business case and secure corporate level funding for corporate-wide Globalization infrastructure.

4. AWS

Here's how engineering directors use aws:

Developed technologies and leveraged products featuring embedded systems, Linux kernel, user space, Windows applications and AWS clouds.
Pulse One is an AWS hosted platform that Pulse Secure provides which to migrate services to the cloud.

5. Project Management

Here's how engineering directors use project management:

Develop new business through creative marketing and strengthening relationships with new and existing customers through relentless customer service and project management.
Restructured the engineering group to provide timely internal manufacturing support, effective project management, and clear lines of customer communication.

6. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how engineering directors use customer service:

Managed material and product rationalization programs aimed at portfolio consolidation and improved customer service and satisfaction.
Directed product development, service delivery, vendor management, customer service, and day-to-day operations.

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7. Software Development

Software development is the mechanism by which programmers create computer programs. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework for developing applications that follow technological needs and consumer requirements. It consists of many stages. The SDLC establishes an international standard that software developers can use to enhance and create their programs. It provides a well-defined framework for software developers to pursue in the production, maintenance, and design of premium quality software. The aim of the software development process is to create high-quality software on time and within budget.

Here's how engineering directors use software development:

Organized Engineering operations activities for small analog design software company, including software development schedules and software development process definition.
Recognized expert in end-to-end software development cycle with a focus on timely delivery of top quality, award-winning products/solutions.

8. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how engineering directors use continuous improvement:

Implement and evolve continuous improvement approaches for solution engineering that reduces overall cost to serve and improve delivery quality and compliance.
Deliver presentations, support design of new products, ensure continuous improvement culture and improve manufacturing methods to assure quality standards.

9. Pre Sales

Here's how engineering directors use pre sales:

Team up with Netscape Japan team on pre sales and post sales activities.
Provided pre sales direction for new VoIP sales and implementation support.

10. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how engineering directors use c++:

Used for flexible boot scripts, interfacing front panel menu with C++ app code, and sending log events over network.
Designed a SOAP interface to Digital Goods remote services utilizing symmetric encryption written in C++ for validation.

11. HVAC

Here's how engineering directors use hvac:

Managed and coordinated all hardware/software engineering, installation, and service of HVAC temperature control system projects.
Developed renewal and replacement budgets for mechanical and HVAC control systems and modernization budgets for 45 elevators.

12. Azure

Here's how engineering directors use azure:

Championed re-architecting of flagship software with migration from .NET to Microsoft AZURE.
Automated deployment of SharePoint 2013 staging and testing tiers in Azure via ARM based templates.

13. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how engineering directors use business development:

Focused on effectively aligning engineering capabilities and projects with business development opportunities and current contracts to meet our corporate strategic goals.
Coordinated and implemented developer API interfaces, creating and managing documentation and was instrumental in assisting business development and developer relations.

14. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how engineering directors use r:

Coordinated customer design effort with manufacturing capabilities resulting in successful hermetic fiber optic T/R module.
Developed testing method and pass/fail criteria to validate theft-resistant packaging for Toys R Us.

15. Product Management

Product management is a part of an organization's function that deals with product development, planning, pricing, forecasting, launching, and marketing the product.

Here's how engineering directors use product management:

Liaised between the field System Engineering and Technical Product Management/Engineering organizations to identify new mobile product features and competitive issues.
Partnered with Product Management to develop competitive strategy to strengthen industrial leadership and increase market shares.

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What skills help Engineering Directors find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What soft skills should all engineering directors possess?

Dr. John Ballato

J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and Professor, Clemson University

To me, the most important soft skill has always been communication. And, due to the pandemic where people have had to isolate and possibly quarantine, effective communications are even that much more critical. We're spending less face-to-face time and more screen-to-screen time, which gets boring quickly. So, paying attention, being clear and concise in your communications since you don't have the opportunities as often now to simply walk into someone's lab or office and talk through ideas and next steps. Effective communications are also especially important in materials science and engineering because our field is innately interdisciplinary. This means that you might be the only materials scientist on a team that includes marketing, sales, manufacturing, etc. Knowing your audience, including your project team, and learning how to communicate with them is critical.

What hard/technical skills are most important for engineering directors?

Dr. John Ballato

J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and Professor, Clemson University

Important hard/technical skills really depend on the nature of the job/position and the organization. This really relates back to the What Skills Stand Out question. Employers want to know that employees have the requisite "toolbox" of basic skills and a willingness and aptitude to learn on the job. No person comes out of school with all the skills and experiences needed for a given job, so organizations inevitably continue to provide training on product-specific skills. Knowing how to learn, wanting to learn, and admitting what you don't know are as important, if not more so, than any hard/technical skills one gains during their education.

What skills stand out on engineering director resumes?

Dr. John Ballato

J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and Professor, Clemson University

The phrase "well rounded" may be getting old, but it's still true. We like to see graduates who didn't just go to class but worked in a laboratory or did a co-op/internship and had various extra-curricular activities, both personal and professional. Remember that materials science and engineering are leveraging computer science more and more, whether through atomistic or microstructural modeling or newer technologies such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). So having some familiarity with those and how they complement experimental/hands-on studies are helpful.

Another point about skills that stand out is a simple one - do your homework. There are few things more irritating than receiving a resume or email asking for a job, and the student clearly didn't care enough to look up what we do. The resume is a copy and paste and isn't personalized to the specific position, Group, or company. That stands out like a sore thumb.

What engineering director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Yi Yang PhD

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Abington

In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.

What type of skills will young engineering directors need?

Randy Jacobs

Instructional Assistant Professor, Construction Management, Professional Practice Coordinator, Illinois State University

Many of the skill sets will remain the same: problem solving, communication and leadership. CM graduates are accustomed to being mobile moving from job to job and working at off-site locations. But some of those skill sets will be put to the test as the need for more "digital presence" is required of companies and construction projects.

What technical skills for an engineering director stand out to employers?

Patrick Atkinson

Professor, Kettering University

Broadly speaking, employers are looking for employees who can jump in, take on a project and move things forward. Since engineers are data-driven, knowing how to read and interpret findings from a variety of sources is key. This can be very challenging if the data conflicts between sources or the data is unclear. Whether the data is from a mathematical model, a physical test laboratory, or from the field, learning how to synthesize the findings and balance the strengths/weaknesses of a given data source are key. At the end of the day, every project needs a way forward and it is the engineer's job to optimize a design to meet the objectives for the product.

Do you want to know more?

List of engineering director skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an engineering director resume and required skills for an engineering director to have include:

Java
Architecture
Infrastructure
AWS
Project Management
Customer Service
Software Development
Continuous Improvement
Pre Sales
C++
HVAC
Azure
Business Development
R
Product Management
Shared Services

Scrum
Product Development
Cloud Computing
JavaScript
Plumbing
Microservices
UL
Direct Reports
Emerging Technologies
QA
Development Process
Technical Leadership
Saas
Linux
OSHA
Capital Projects

Process Improvement
Engineering Operations
Product Design
Program Management
Engineering Organization
Engineering Projects
Lean Six Sigma
Ruby
Design Engineering
ERP
Management System
IP
Sigma
Windows
Technical Support
Customer Satisfaction

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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