Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects in the United States is $219,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $106.

However, a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $287,984
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $199,890 to $255,390
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $181,954
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View as table View as graph 25% $199,890 10% $181,954 90% $287,984 75% $255,390 $219,590 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $255,390 $21,283 $4,911 $123
Average $219,590 $18,299 $4,223 $106
25th Percentile $199,890 $16,658 $3,844 $96
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Key Factors That Influence Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries

A Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead (3-5 years): $117,059
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Manager (5+ years): $150,486
  • Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Manager (5+ years): $172,276
  • Director Engineering Design/Development Projects (5+ years): $196,385
  • Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects (5+ years): $219,579
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Team Lead3-5 years$117,059
Engineering Program/Project Management - Manager5+ years$150,486
Engineering Program/Project Management - Senior Manager5+ years$172,276
Director Engineering Design/Development Projects5+ years$196,385
Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects5+ years$219,579
$117,059 Engineeri...
$150,486 Engineeri...
$172,276 Engineeri...
$196,385 Director ...
$219,579 Senior Di...
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Top Paying Cities for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $276,990
  • San Francisco: $273,990
  • Oakland: $268,190

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $245,818. While startup companies pay approximate $207,957.

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$207,957
Growth Stage51~500$219,939
Established501~5000$237,381
Enterprise5000+$245,818

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 51% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects positions in Transportation or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$285,467$137.030%
Energy & Utilities$274,488$132.025%
Business Services$252,528$121.015%
Construction$245,941$118.012%
Retail & Wholesale$239,353$115.09%

Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Most common benefits for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

Here are companies hiring for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • JPMorganChase

    Columbus, OH

    JPMorganChase | Columbus, OH

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    10 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

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    6 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

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    14 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Director Engineering Design/Development Projects roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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