Department Chair, Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology

Position Overview

Michigan Technological University invites applications for the role of Chair of the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology. This position plays a pivotal role in leading a dynamic department committed to excellence in education, research, and service. The successful candidate will serve as the chief administrative officer, responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, hiring, fundraising, and fostering collaborative partnerships while upholding a strong culture of safety and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership that respects shared governance and supports excellence for faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve as the chief administrative officer, overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and personnel management.
• Develop and implement a vision to advance hands-on experiential education and to grow both undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Support and expand externally funded research while encouraging interdisciplinary initiatives and enhancing the department’s national and international visibility.
• Manage and evaluate faculty and staff, including recommendations for hiring, tenure, promotion, and salary adjustments.
• Facilitate professional development through mentoring, guidance, and recognition of achievements.
• Ensure compliance with ABET and university assessment activities and lead continuous improvement of academic programs.
• Strengthen relationships with alumni, industry, government, and professional organizations to support education, research, and outreach.
• Collaborate with the dean and the Office of Advancement to prioritize fundraising and engagement with key stakeholders.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety in laboratories, classrooms, and field settings.

Required Qualifications

• An earned Doctorate in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative accomplishments in academic, government, or industrial settings, including budgeting and resource allocation.
• A scholarly record of excellence appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.
• Proven success in securing and managing external research funding with a national or international reputation in a relevant field.
• Experience in mentoring and developing faculty, staff, and students, with a commitment to high-quality, student-centered instruction.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to build consensus and resolve conflicts.
• Proven ability to strategically manage budgets, resources, and competing priorities.
• Commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and adherence to teaching and mentoring best practices.
• Willingness to engage in fundraising and represent the department to external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering with experience at the level of a tenured associate or full professor.
• Experience teaching core courses in mechanical, manufacturing, or mechanical engineering technology at undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
• Prior engagement with departmental and university strategic planning and vision implementation.
• Demonstrated support for the professional development of staff, faculty, and students.
• Experience leading or co-leading multi-investigator research proposals and generating peer-reviewed publications.
• Industrial or technical experience in an engineering environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams and perform service roles within a university or national/international organization.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Training: Required University Training includes Employee Safety Overview, Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training, Annual Data Security Training, and Annual Title IX Training.
• Professional Environment: Join a dynamic department with state-of-the-art laboratories, robust research initiatives, and a commitment to experiential learning and career development.
• Additional Perks: Access to competitive benefits, a collaborative work culture, and support for partner engagement and professional growth.