Engineering Director Jobs in Columbus, OH
Engineering Director jobs in Columbus are in strong demand, concentrated in the Short North tech corridor, the Arena District, and the Easton area, with openings across defense, financial technology, and healthcare IT. Employers hiring right now include JPMorganChase, GAI Consultants, and Quanta Infrastructure Solutions. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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GAI Consultants is looking for a motivated leader to be part of the continued growth and expansion of the civil engineering practice in the Ohio River Valley Region. GAI’s civil engineering practice is focused on private and public projects. The successful candidate will lead multi-disciplined infrastructure projects for GAI. Private projects are anticipated to include master planned projects, residential, commercial, industrial, and other wide-ranging developments in the region. Public projects are anticipated to include municipal and institutional projects that require civil expertise and typically include other GAI disciplines. This is a senior position responsible for client management and business development for public and private project opportunities in the greater region. We are offering a generous Sign-On Bonus.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide sales and client management for existing and new strategic clients.
- Work with other senior leadership to support and execute GAI’s multi-disciplined efforts in the greater Ohio River Valley Region
- Work with technical and proposal staff to develop responses for cost proposals, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs).
- Work with project managers to develop project management plans for effective management of project deliverables, budget control, and schedule control, with a focus on maximizing client satisfaction and profitability.
- Negotiate or assist with negotiating contracts.
- Assist with annual strategic and tactical planning for the market and company.
- Contribute to GAI's public profile by actively participating in leadership roles in the community and/or professional organizations.
- Support plan preparation, scope compliance, scheduling of tasks
- Have a good working knowledge of reviewing and approving local agencies – Cities, Counties, and Authorities.
- Prepare weekly updates to backlog and manpower reports
Job Qualifications (Experience, Essential Education, and Skills Needed):
- Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
- Minimum 20 years of experience in Civil Engineering, with 5 in the local market preferred
- Must be a registered Professional Engineer in Indiana
- Capable of sales to support team.
- Knowledge of civil drainage, grading, and utilities
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project
General Characteristics
- Makes decisions with broad influence on activities of their practices.
- Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that are conclusive and have a far-reaching impact on the practice and the industry.
- Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding projects and activities of major consequence.
- Provides leadership and develops and engages others to create a common vision for their projects and the practice.
- Assesses the acceptability of engineering economic analyses and the risks associated with solutions to complex engineering problems.
- Evaluates solutions to complex problems that involve multiple specialty areas of engineering.
- Advocates for ethical behavior in the practice of engineering and assesses courses of resolution to ethical dilemmas in complicated situations.
Experience
- 20+ years of experience.
Education
- B.S. in Engineering from an accredited college or university. Master's Degree preferred.
Certification/Licensure
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) License
- Driver's License
Technical Responsibilities
- Frequently performs advisory or consulting work for the practice across broad project areas or within a specialized area with innovative/complex aspects.
- Assesses practices and requirements to achieve sustainable performance of complex engineering projects from a systems perspective.
Project and Task Management
- Evaluates project management plans for complex engineering projects.
- Develops risk mitigation plans to address project risks.
- Evaluates effectiveness of leaders and teams.
Management, Supervision and Guidance
- Leads an entire project of critical importance.
- Develops projects needed for accomplishing the objectives of the practice.
- Develops practice strategy for staff development through mentored experience, continuing education, and self-development.
- Instills and fosters professional attitudes within the practice.
Communication, Teamwork and Leadership
- Negotiates critical and controversial issues with leadership of other practices.
- Represents their practice at important functions and conferences.
“Why GAI?”
GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.
At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.
Benefits To Working at GAI Include:
Competitive Pay & Recognition
- Market based, competitive compensation
- Performance driven recognition and development bonuses
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
- Company-paid life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
Meaningful Work–Life Balance
- Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
- An additional floating holiday—use it for what matters to you
- Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
Growth, Learning & Financial Security
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Support and rewards for professional development and certifications
#GAI
#gaiatwork
Experience
Required- 20 year(s): Related Experience
Education
Required- Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Driver's License
- Professional Engineer
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 50 Engineering Director Jobs in Columbus
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Find Engineering Director JobsEngineering Director Job Market in Columbus
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase22

- GAI Consultants6

- Quanta Infrastructure Solutions6

- Anduril3

- CVS Health3

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
Engineering Director Jobs in Columbus: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a engineering director job in Columbus?
Target Columbus's strongest hiring sectors: defense and aerospace contractors near Rickenbacker, financial technology firms downtown, and large healthcare systems on the east side. Candidates who stand out typically bring cross-functional leadership experience and a record of delivering complex programs in those industries. Networking through Columbus's tech community events and engaging directly with hiring managers at established Columbus employers gives you a concrete edge over remote applicants.
Which companies hire engineering directors in Columbus?
Columbus engineering director roles are posted by JPMorganChase, GAI Consultants, and Quanta Infrastructure Solutions and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Columbus's mix of large defense primes, regional banks, and major hospital systems means openings appear across a wide range of employer sizes and industries throughout the metro.
Are there remote engineering director jobs in Columbus?
Yes, though with limits: engineering director roles that involve managing physical infrastructure, manufacturing operations, or on-site teams are rarely fully remote, while those focused on software, data platforms, or enterprise systems are more frequently hybrid. About 67% of engineering director openings tied to Columbus are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. Software and cloud infrastructure leadership roles with Columbus-based fintech and SaaS employers tend to offer the most flexible arrangements.
How can I get a engineering director job in Columbus with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Columbus is moving up through a senior engineering manager or principal engineer role at one of the city's large defense contractors or healthcare IT organizations, which promote internally at higher rates than many markets. Entry-level leadership programs at Columbus-area employers and project lead roles within Columbus's growing startup scene offer another route. Demonstrating ownership of a delivered product or infrastructure project, even at smaller scale, is what Columbus hiring managers look for most.
Which industries hire the most engineering directors in Columbus?
The sectors hiring the most engineering directors in Columbus are Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Columbus's position as a Midwest hub for defense logistics, financial services technology, and major health system infrastructure drives sustained demand for engineering leadership across all three sectors.
See All 50 Engineering Director Jobs in Columbus
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