Department chair manufacturing mechanical engineering technology

Job No: 25272

Department: Manufacturing & Mech Eng Technology

Work Type: Staff - Full Time

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

Categories: Engineering, Academic Administrator, Manufacturing

Summary

The College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology to begin July 1, 2026.

The Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Michigan Technological University seeks an individual who has a demonstrated record of scholarly and administrative achievement to lead the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology faculty and staff in our mission of excellence in education, research, and service, while promoting our culture of safety and a welcoming environment. We seek an individual with the vision and experience to elevate the prominence of the department in manufacturing engineering research, further our strong tradition of hands-on experiential education, grow our M.S. and Ph.D. programs, and work with all stakeholders to align the department activities and goals with the strategic plans of the College and University.

The department chair serves as the chief administrative officer for the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology department and is responsible for administration, budgeting, hiring, and fundraising in support of department goals. The chair serves as the primary liaison between the department and the university and external stakeholders, and is expected to expand and develop department collaborations and networks within and outside the university.

The Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology has a robust research program, well-equipped with the expertise and resources needed to address current challenges in production processes, efficiency, automation, and quality control. By integrating principles from mechanical engineering, operations management, and systems engineering, the department drives innovation and optimization in modern manufacturing systems. Its research efforts focus on the development of advanced materials, enhancement of sustainability, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and additive manufacturing. Furthermore, strategic collaborations with mechanical engineering, materials science, computer science, and business broaden the scope and real-world applicability of its research, fostering interdisciplinary solutions to complex industrial problems.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a learning environment based on respect for all and academic excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Provide leadership to the department that respects shared governance and supports excellence for department faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve as the chief administrative officer of the department with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, personnel management, and departmental operations.
• Develop a vision and practices to support continued growth and excellence in hands-on experiential education and undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
• Support and expand externally funded research, encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives, and strengthen the department's national and international visibility.
• Manage and evaluate faculty and staff, including recommendations for hiring, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and salary raise.
• Facilitate professional development of faculty, staff, and students through mentoring, guidance, and recognition of achievement.
• Ensure compliance and excellence in ABET and university assessment activities, and lead continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Strengthen relationships with alumni, industry, government, and professional organizations to support education, research, and outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with the dean and the University's Office of Advancement to identify key priorities for fundraising and effectively engage with alumni and others.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety in laboratories, classrooms, and field activities.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

An earned Doctorate in Engineering, Manufacturing, or closely related field.

Required Experience

• Demonstrated leadership and administrative accomplishments in an academic, government, or industrial setting, including experience with budgeting and resource allocation.
• Scholarly record of excellence appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related field.
• Proven success in securing and managing external research funding and maintaining a national or international reputation in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and developing faculty, staff, and students, with evidence of fostering their professional and academic success.
• Experience teaching at the university level, with demonstrated commitment to high-quality, student-centered instruction.
• Evidence of building or leading interdisciplinary collaborations or multi-institutional projects (e.g., centers, institutes, large research teams, or applied partnerships).

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• A PhD in mechanical engineering or manufacturing engineering with experience commensurate to a tenured associate or full professor.
• Experience teaching core mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or mechanical engineering technology courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Prior engagement with department and university strategic plans and visions.
• Demonstrated tangible support for professional development of staff, faculty and/or students.
• Prior experience leading or co-leading multi-PI/co-PI research proposals and generating peer-reviewed publications.
• Prior engagement with continuous improvement activities related to university teaching.
• Engineering/technical experience in an industrial setting.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and personnel management skills, with the ability to guide faculty, staff, and students toward shared goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, resolve conflicts, and foster a collegial, collaborative, and respectful working environment.
• Proven ability to strategically manage budgets, resources, and competing priorities in support of departmental and institutional goals.
• Commitment to safety and continuous improvement practices in teaching, research, and administration.
• Ability and willingness to engage in fundraising and advancement activities, and to represent the department effectively to alumni, industry, government, and professional organizations.
• Knowledge of and engagement with teaching and mentoring best practices in academic and professional settings.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated success in working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a teaching/ research/administrative setting and foster camaraderie.
• Ability to serve in various service roles within a university or national/international organization.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following four required pieces of training; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

11 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type
Internal & External

Dependent on Funding
No

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before December 1, 2025

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:

• Cover letter describing interest in the position and relevant experience and qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement on vision, leadership/management, and the future of manufacturing engineering research and education
• Statement of research
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Names of at least three professional references

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech.

Additional Information

Michigan Tech is one of four Carnegie classified R1 institutions in Michigan. The university provides its graduates with an extremely high return on investment through its academic rigor and focus on experiential learning. Located in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula's Anishinaabe/Ojibwe lands on the south shore of Lake Superior, the university also provides a high standard of living. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities.

The Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) at Michigan Technological University was established in 2019, has a strong legacy of delivering application-focused engineering education. Since 1994, the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program has developed a reputation for producing highly skilled, practice-ready graduates. As Michigan Tech advances from R2 to R1 research institution, MMET is undergoing a strategic transformation into a research-active department, while continuing to uphold its core mission of delivering high-quality, experiential teaching. The department currently comprises 9 full-time faculty members, 5 administrative and technical staff, and 24 graduate students (12 PhD and 12 MS students). MMET is actively expanding its graduate programs and building a robust research portfolio that targets critical challenges in areas such as advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, materials processing, energy systems, and sustainable design. Experiential learning remains a cornerstone of the MMET educational model. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories, industry-sponsored senior design projects, and participation in enterprise programs to prepare graduates for impactful careers. In support of its academic and research initiatives, MMET operates with an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million, which supports instructional activities, laboratory development, faculty and staff advancement, and new research initiatives.

Among the nation's public colleges and universities, Michigan Tech was named No. 2 on the list of Best Schools for Internships, No. 9 for Best Career Placement and No. 18 for Best Schools for Financial Aid. In the Best Value Colleges category, solely based on return on investment, or ROI, Michigan Tech was ranked No. 33.

Engineering at Michigan Tech is thriving. We are the largest college at Tech, with nine departments offering 49 degree programs and have programs across engineering fields-, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, geological, manufacturing, materials, and mechanical-as well as several new programs created in response to the accelerating pace of technology including aerospace engineering, robotics, and manufacturing engineering. Demand for our programs is strong and growing, with more than 4,200 students currently enrolled in our college. We are committed to training engineers to have the highly cooperative and imaginative mindsets needed to work together to advance power generation and grid management, design clean energy materials, develop autonomous mobility (road, rail, water, air), sustainably manage natural resources, and improve human health.

Michigan Tech recognizes the importance of supporting faculty members' partners; candidates selected for on-campus interviews will be invited to bring a guest. Additional details on our Partner Engagement Program can be found at .

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer, that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or [email protected] .

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)