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Michigan Technological University · 2 months ago

Department Chair, Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology

Houghton, MI

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Chair for the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology to begin July 1, 2026. The role involves providing leadership, overseeing administrative functions, and enhancing the department's prominence in manufacturing engineering research and education.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities

No H1B

Responsibilities

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

Qualification

Doctorate in EngineeringResearch funding successInterdisciplinary collaborationLeadership experienceBudget managementTeaching experienceMentoring skillsCommitment to safetyCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsConflict resolution

Required

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

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)

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

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following four required pieces of training; additional training may be required by the department: Employee Safety Overview, Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training, Annual Data Security Training, Annual Title IX Training

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

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment

Preferred

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

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