Assistant or Associate Professor of Industrial Design

Internal • Bellingham, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Western Washington University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Industrial Design, with an anticipated start date of September 16, 2027. The university seeks candidates with teaching and research interests in industrial design, product design, or a related field. The role combines undergraduate teaching, scholarship and creative activity, program leadership, and student mentorship. Teaching includes industrial design service courses and advanced studio courses; scholarship is expected to involve undergraduate researchers and industry partnerships. The faculty member will help lead the program’s curriculum, research areas, and laboratory facilities, while fostering equitable and inclusive environments for students, faculty, and staff.

The Industrial Design program is part of the Engineering and Design Department in Western’s College of Science and Engineering. It is a hands-on, NASAD-accredited undergraduate program focused on creative problem-solving, skills development, experiential learning, and preparation for industry. The position includes leadership and administration of the program, curriculum development and assessment, operational and resource management, partnership-building, recruitment and outreach, and participation in faculty personnel processes.

Candidates must have a PhD or ABD in Industrial Design or a closely related field, or an MFA, MDes, or equivalent terminal degree in the field. ABD candidates must complete all degree requirements by June 15 of the first year of employment. Applicants should demonstrate appropriate professional, scholarly, or creative contributions; successful higher-education teaching and mentorship; commitment to inclusive excellence and student success; and collaborative leadership and management capabilities. Appointment at the associate professor level additionally requires significant research, successful teaching, and service contributions commensurate with university promotion standards.

The anticipated starting salary is $93,000–$96,000 for an assistant professor and $106,000–$109,000 for an associate professor. The full salary ranges are $93,000–$111,000 and $106,000–$126,000, respectively. Relocation assistance may be available under university guidelines and subject to budget. Employees must comply with the university’s immunization policy, including providing proof of measles immunity within 60 days of hire. New employees must also provide employment eligibility verification and undergo a background check, including a sexual misconduct background check.

Requirements

• PhD or ABD at the time of application in Industrial Design or a closely related field; ABD candidates must complete all degree requirements by June 15, 2028.
• Alternatively, an MFA, MDes, or equivalent terminal degree in Industrial Design or a closely related field by the date of appointment.
• Record of professional practice, scholarship, creative activity, or other contributions appropriate to industrial design.
• Evidence of successful teaching and student mentorship in higher education.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and student success.
• Experience leading projects, teams, programs, or other organizational initiatives requiring collaboration, communication, and management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and external stakeholders.
• For appointment at the Associate Professor level: demonstrated significant research, evidence of successful teaching, and service contributions commensurate with promotion standards in the Department, College, and University.
• Compliance with the university immunization policy, including proof of measles immunity within 60 days of hire.
• Employment eligibility verification and satisfactory completion of required background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in academic leadership, such as program director, department chair, curriculum coordinator, or another higher-education administrative role.
• Demonstrated success in curriculum development, strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and continuous program improvement.
• Established record of scholarly, creative, or professional achievement in industrial design or related fields.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with industry, community organizations, professional associations, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, facilities, personnel, and other operational aspects of an academic program.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, securing external funding, and enhancing program visibility through outreach, recruitment, exhibitions, research, or professional engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and administration for the Industrial Design Program, including strategic planning, program assessment, budgeting, scheduling, and resource management.
• Teach undergraduate industrial design courses, including skill development, software, design studios, and design research.
• Maintain an active agenda of scholarship and creative activity consistent with university expectations.
• Lead curriculum development and continuous improvement to support program quality, relevance, accreditation, institutional goals, and emerging design trends.
• Recruit, mentor, advise, and support students in their academic and professional development.
• Facilitate collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and university administrators to advance program goals and foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Manage program operations, including faculty workload planning, course scheduling, facilities oversight, equipment planning, and assessment activities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with industry, alumni, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to enhance experiential learning and program visibility.
• Represent the program within the university and externally through recruitment, outreach, professional engagement, exhibitions, and public events.
• Support faculty development, recruitment, evaluation, and other personnel-related processes in accordance with university policies.
• Advance the program’s reputation through innovation in teaching, scholarship, professional engagement, and student success.
• Involve undergraduate researchers and industry partnerships in scholarship where appropriate.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance may be available under University guidelines and dependent on available budget.
• Faculty benefits information is referenced by the university; specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree