Assistant or Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Technology

Ferris State University • Big Rapids, MI

13h • $80,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Engineering and Technology at Ferris State University seeks a diverse group of outstanding applicants for a 9 month, full-time, tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology position. Primary responsibilities include preparing and delivering courses, utilizing effective methods that ensure that all course outcomes are met. Courses are primarily delivered face-to-face in the classroom/lab at the main campus in Big Rapids, although on-line delivery may be required for some courses.
• Faculty in MET are expected to teach a variety of courses across the curriculum, teaching both lower and upper undergraduate division courses in an ETAC/ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program.
• Candidates are expected to foster a meaningful learning experience for our students, faculty are expected to be student-oriented, advise, and integrate current technology into the learning environment.
• Additionally, faculty will participate in collaborative efforts to foster curricular efforts, participate in assessment of student learning, and further develop programmatic enhancement.
• Specifically, we expect the candidate to be willing to engage students outside the classroom, support and expand our existing academic initiatives, and be willing to mentor students beyond a traditional academic advising role.
• In support of teaching, candidates will engage in scholarly/professional activities and participate in department, college, and university committees.
• Off-campus and online teaching may be required.
• Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site.

Tenure awarded at a previous institution is required to be hired at the rank of Associate Professor.

The anticipated start date of this position is August of 2026 at the earliest and January of 2027 at the latest.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering field plus a BS in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology OR Master’s degree in any discipline plus a Professional Engineers License (Machine Design and Materials or Thermal and Fluid Systems) plus BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related engineering field
• Minimum of five years full-time, non-academic industry-related work experience (3+ years continuous) after completion of BS for applicants whose highest degree is a Masters in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology and for applicants with Doctorates without a BS from an ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology program
• No industrial work experience is required for applicants with a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering who have also earned a BS from an ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology program. However, industry-related work experience is still desired for such applicants.
• Minimum of eight years full-time, non-academic industry-related work experience (5+ years continuous) after completion of BS for applicants with a PE license whose highest degree is a not Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Minimum five years teaching experience to include an award of tenure for rank of Associate Professor
• Office Environment
• Bending
• Carrying
• Electrical Hazards
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Lifting
• Standing
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of full-time, continuous, non-academic industry-related experience for all applicants
• Working knowledge and demonstrated experience with mechanical systems and methods
• Experience related to and the ability to teach MECH 311 FEA and CAD simulation (Solidworks-based)
• Experience related to and the ability to teach MECH 389 Mechanical Measurements and/or MECH 421 Data Acquisition and Analysis (LabVIEW-based)
• Experience related to and the ability to teach a computer programming course targeted to Mechanical Engineering Technology which includes microcontroller programming (Circuit Python or Arduino)
• Related teaching experience
• Professional engineering license
• Ability to promote a program
• Industrial experience with mechatronics (electro-mechanical) systems, robotics, automation and controls
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to develop on-line teaching.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Technically competent in the use of instrumentation, computers, and software appropriate to the discipline.

Responsibilities

• Teach full-time during the 9-month academic year.
• Recruitment of students (including Dawg Days, Admitted Student Days, visits to high schools or career tech centers, and other University-outreach events) will occur throughout the academic year and include some Saturdays.
• Serve on program committees and represent the program(s) on College and University committees.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development, assessment, and quality assurance.
• Candidate is expected to teach at both the Big Rapids and Grand Rapids campuses.
• Teach and coordinate elective courses in areas of expertise.
• Collaborate in design and implementation of additional undergraduate and graduate degrees
• Maintain records and conduct assessment, advising, and all other administrative features of the position in accordance with policies and procedures developed by the university, college, school, department, and/or program.
• Perform duties in accordance with established University policies.
• Act as liaison between the program and professional organizations through active, individual involvement and, potentially as the program-appointed representative.
• Enthusiastically support student success through active involvement with individual students, student organizations, and student competitions, both within and outside of the classroom.
• Remain current in the profession.
• The position reports to the Department Chair or Director and the Dean.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop University student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Ferris State University's philosophy places excellence in teaching as the first priority while encouraging involvement in scholarly activity.
• Candidates are expected to foster a meaningful learning experience for our students, faculty are expected to be student-oriented, advise, and integrate current technology into the learning environment.
• Specifically, we expect the candidate to be willing to engage students outside the classroom, support and expand our existing academic initiatives, and be willing to mentor students beyond a traditional academic advising role.
• In support of teaching, candidates will engage in scholarly/professional activities and participate in department, college, and university committees.
• Work with colleagues to develop new curricular initiatives.
• Faculty members also have professional responsibilities which may include advising students, orientation and registration of students, participation in university committees, keeping regular posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (ex. reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time).
• Additionally, faculty will participate in collaborative efforts to foster curricular efforts, participate in assessment of student learning, and further develop programmatic enhancement.
• Faculty members may be required to teach off-campus or in an on-line environment.
• Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
• Faculty Health Benefit Plans [https://www.ferris.edu/administration/adminandfinance/human/Benefits/faculty.htm]

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time