Department Chair, Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology

Position Overview

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. This role is responsible for leading the department’s faculty and staff in a mission dedicated to excellence in education, research, and service. The chair will oversee strategic planning, budgeting, hiring, and fundraising while promoting a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment. They will also work with internal and external stakeholders to elevate the department’s prominence in manufacturing engineering research and experiential education.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership that respects shared governance and supports excellence for department faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve as the chief administrative officer responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, personnel management, and overall departmental operations.
• Develop and implement a vision that supports growth in hands-on experiential education and expands undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
• Support and expand externally funded research, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and enhance the department’s national and international visibility.
• Manage faculty and staff evaluations, including recommendations for hiring, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and salary adjustments.
• Facilitate professional development through mentoring and recognition of achievements.
• Ensure compliance with ABET and university assessment activities and lead continuous improvement of academic programs.
• Build and strengthen relationships with alumni, industry, government, and professional organizations.
• Collaborate on fundraising initiatives in partnership with the dean and the University's Office of Advancement.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety in laboratories, classrooms, and field activities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: An earned Doctorate in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative accomplishments in academic, governmental, or industrial settings.
• A scholarly record of excellence appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or similar fields.
• Proven success in securing and managing external research funding and establishing a national or international reputation.
• Experience teaching at the university level 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 fostering a respectful working environment.
• Willingness to engage in fundraising and advancement activities.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, industry-sponsored senior design projects, and enterprise programs.
• A strong reputation for internship opportunities, career placement, and financial aid support.
• Opportunities to engage in unique partner programs, including guest support during on-campus interviews.