Consulting Director - C&M - Mechanical Engineering

Company description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. As strategy, technology, and innovation converge, we turn complexity into opportunity.

With over 4,000 strategists, designers, consultants, engineers, scientists, and technologists worldwide, PA helps clients adapt, transform, and achieve enduring results across consumer and manufacturing, defense and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government, health and life sciences, and transport.

We support organizations throughout the full product lifecycle from strategy and prototyping to regulatory approval and market launch—delivering first-to-world solutions. Our teams operate across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and the Netherlands.

Job description

Role Overview

As a Consulting Director, you are a senior consulting leader with deep mechanical engineering expertise, strong commercial acumen, and a proven record of business growth. You lead complex, multi-disciplinary programs, shape client strategy, and convert challenges into innovative, high-impact solutions.

You champion technical excellence, foster inclusive and high-performing teams, and play a key role in setting strategic direction for both your craft and the broader business. Through transparent, empathetic communication, you build trust with clients and colleagues while confidently challenging assumptions to drive meaningful change.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the technical and commercial delivery of PA’s most complex programs by managing risk, quality standards, and multi-service teams to achieve strong client outcomes.
• Drive business development by identifying opportunities, qualifying leads, and winning large, multi-capability engagements that grow PA’s market presence.
• Set strategic direction for mechanical engineering, in collaboration with capability leadership, and align capability development with commercial priorities and PA’s growth objectives across all three PA Design, Engineering, and Science US Studios – San Francisco, Boston, and Concord.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of advanced mechanical and electromechanical solutions—from early ideation through implementation—ensuring quality, safety, and commercial value.
• Act as a trusted senior advisor to client leadership, shaping strategy and defining solutions that elevate business and technical performance.
• Serve as Concord Studio place-lead, collaborating with PA leadership and other place-leads to build an engaging, inclusive local culture through events and initiatives.
• Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements, reinforcing PA’s values and strengthening connections across the organization.
• Coach, mentor, and develop consultants and engineers, building a strong pipeline of technical and leadership talent.
• Advance capability development through knowledge sharing, process and quality standards, and thought leadership that strengthens PA’s reputation.
• Build and maintain senior external and internal relationships, positioning PA as a trusted advisor and enabling cross-functional collaboration.
• Identify and manage commercial, operational, and reputational risks through clear decision-making and disciplined program delivery.

What You Bring

• Deep expertise in mechanical engineering and product development, with a strong record delivering complex, multi-disciplinary consulting engagements.
• Significant experience in commercial leadership, business development, and account management within consulting or adjacent environments.
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that inspires high performance and continuous learning.
• Strategic thinking, curiosity, and creativity to shape market offerings and drive sustainable growth.
• Excellent communication skills, able to engage effectively with executive leaders, clients, and technical teams.
• A strong coaching and mentoring mindset, building technical, commercial, and leadership capability across teams.
• Integrity, resilience, and a results-oriented approach, consistently upholding the highest professional standards.

Why Join Us

At PA, you’ll shape the future of your craft while delivering ingenious solutions to clients’ toughest challenges. You’ll influence business growth, lead exceptional teams, and help clients and colleagues progress further, faster—together.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, with 15+ years of experience in product development and consulting.
• Proven leadership of expert, cross-industry teams, particularly in electromechanical systems and user-centered design.
• Demonstrated experience with ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 strongly preferred.
• Strong grounding in first-principles engineering, including areas such as mechatronics, structures, dynamics, thermal and fluid systems, controls, acoustics, precision mechanisms, or DFM.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred) and engineering analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, FEA).
• Extensive client-facing experience and strong communication skills.
• Portfolio or selected examples demonstrating impact and approach.

Additional information

PA operates a hybrid working model. For this role, strong leadership presence is critical; therefore, you should expect to be in the office or at a client site 4–5 days most weeks.