Assistant Professor of Mechanical Enginnering

Ohio Wesleyan University • Delaware, OH

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Ohio Wesleyan University’s Conrades School of Engineering seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering to begin in August 2027. The successful candidate will help build a new undergraduate engineering program combining technical education with the breadth of the liberal arts. Candidates from all areas of mechanical engineering are welcome. The role calls for a collaborative colleague committed to excellent teaching, student mentorship, and research involving undergraduates, and is part of a faculty cluster focused on flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity.

Working closely with the Founding Dean, the faculty member will help shape the curriculum, establish teaching laboratories, develop student research and design experiences, and prepare for ABET accreditation. The Conrades School, supported by alumni contributions, will welcome its first mechanical engineering majors in fall 2027 and offer a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, along with complementary minors. Its educational approach combines technical depth with ethical reasoning, creative problem-solving, and an understanding of how engineering serves people and communities.

The position includes a 3/3 teaching load, undergraduate advising and mentoring, a consistent and focused line of research involving undergraduate students, and service to the department, university, and profession. The university provides faculty mentoring, professional development, startup funds, a pre-tenure sabbatical, and opportunities for student-faculty research and collaboration across the Ohio 5 and GLCA consortia.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field by the start of the appointment.
• Experience teaching undergraduate engineering courses, including laboratory instruction.
• Interest in or experience mentoring undergraduate students, including undergraduate research.
• Experience with curriculum or laboratory development, student learning assessment, or ABET accreditation.

Nice To Haves

• Engineering experience in industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Teach six courses per academic year (3/3), including first-year engineering and foundational courses such as Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials.
• Teach courses contributing to the general education curriculum, including First Year Seminar.
• Collaborate with the Founding Dean on curriculum development, revision, and evaluation, including lecture courses, laboratory courses, and engineering design experiences.
• Help establish teaching laboratories by developing experiments and identifying equipment needs.
• Advise students and mentor their professional development.
• Maintain a consistent, focused line of research that involves undergraduate students; pursuing external funding is encouraged.
• Contribute to student recruitment, experiential learning opportunities, and relationships with external partners.
• Support ABET accreditation preparation by developing assessment tools, evaluating student learning, and documenting continuous improvement.
• Provide service to the department, university, and profession.

Benefits

• Startup funding.
• A pre-tenure sabbatical.
• Student-faculty research opportunities through the Summer Scholarship & Research Program and the OWU Connection.
• Mentoring and professional development through the endowed Smith Center for Faculty Excellence.
• Opportunities to connect with faculty across the Ohio 5 and GLCA consortia.

What This Job Offers

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