Global Director, Engineering- Distributed IT

Overview

Eaton’s Distributed IT organization within the Electrical Sector is seeking a dynamic Global Director of Engineering. Preferred location is in Woodridge, Illinois, but remote work can be considered with required travel.

Eaton’s Distributed IT (D IT) division is seeking a Global Engineering Leader to drive innovation, product development, and systems engineering across its portfolio of data center and distributed infrastructure solutions. This executive will lead a global, multi‑disciplinary engineering organization and play a critical role in shaping the future of power, cooling, connectivity, and digital infrastructure solutions for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise customers.

• Lead Strategy & Innovation:
  Define and execute the global engineering and technology strategy aligned to business growth priorities; drive innovation across integrated solutions spanning hardware, software, and services; partner with senior leadership to deliver business and functional objectives.
• Own Product & Solutions Development:
  Lead end‑to‑end product development, including new product introductions (NPI) and lifecycle management; establish reference designs, system architectures, and validated configurations to accelerate deployment; translate customer requirements into scalable product and system roadmaps.
• Deliver Customer‑Centric Solutions:
  Lead customer co‑design and development partnerships with hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise clients; implement structured voice‑of‑customer (VOC) processes to convert insights into engineering requirements; ensure solutions meet evolving needs in data centers, edge computing, and energy‑efficient infrastructure.
• Drive Engineering Excellence:
  Establish robust system validation, testing, and qualification frameworks; ensure high performance in reliability, scalability, and compliance; drive improvements in speed‑to‑market, cost, and quality.
• Lead a Global Organization:
  Build and lead a high‑performing, global engineering team across disciplines; foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement; develop leadership capability and technical depth across the organization.
• Enable Cross‑Functional Execution:
  Partner with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to deliver end‑to‑end solutions; ensure alignment across the full product lifecycle—from concept through deployment and sustainment.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (preferred: Master’s or MBA).
• Experience:
  
  Minimum 15 years of professional engineering roles (power engineering background desirable) and minimum 7 years of people management.
• Technical Knowledge:
  Significant experience in electrical components/systems design, new product development, and program management. Advanced degree may substitute for some experience.

• Knowledge of current engineering techniques, practices, and engineering standards.
• Demonstrated success leading and influencing geographically dispersed teams through a collaborative leadership style, while ensuring compliance and accountability.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high‑performing teams.
• Ability to influence and partner across a global matrix.
• Collaborative orientation and ability to succeed in a highly team‑oriented environment.
• Global cultural awareness in communication style.
• Strategic thinking, drive for results, and managerial courage.
• Experience developing strategic plans and creating presentations to communicate the plans.
• Proficiency in data center infrastructure, including cooling, power conversion, distribution, intelligent software monitoring systems and redundancy.

Directly impacts Global D-IT annual revenue (approximately $1B and growing). The role oversees 70+ engineers across disciplines and additional resources in EMEA and APAC.

Base salary range: $250,000 – $330,000 per year, with variable incentive program.

Eaton provides a variety of health and welfare benefits, retirement benefits, and paid and unpaid time off. For more details, see Eaton Benefits Overview.

Eaton is committed to ensuring equal…