Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Ohio Wesleyan University • Delaware, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Ohio Wesleyan University’s new Conrades School of Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering beginning in August 2027. The successful candidate will help build an undergraduate engineering program from the ground up, combining technical education with the breadth of the liberal arts. The role calls for a collaborative colleague committed to excellent teaching, student mentorship, and research involving undergraduates. Candidates from all areas of mechanical engineering are welcome.

Working closely with the Founding Dean, the successful candidate will help shape the curriculum, establish teaching laboratories, develop student research and design experiences, and prepare for ABET accreditation. The School will welcome its first mechanical engineering majors in fall 2027 and will offer a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, along with complementary minors in Engineering Science and Science and Engineering in the Public Interest. Its approach combines technical depth with ethical reasoning, creative problem-solving, and attention to how engineering serves people and communities.

The position is part of a faculty cluster focused on flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and inclusivity. Incoming faculty receive mentoring, professional development, startup funds, and opportunities to connect with faculty across the Ohio 5 and GLCA consortia. Faculty support also includes a pre-tenure sabbatical and undergraduate research opportunities through the Summer Scholarship & Research Program and the OWU Connection.

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 with 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; add upper-level courses as the program grows, aligned with the candidate’s expertise and program needs.
• Teach courses that contribute to the general education curriculum, including First Year Seminar.
• Assist the Founding Dean with curriculum development, revision, and evaluation, including lecture courses, laboratory courses, and engineering design experiences.
• Help establish teaching laboratories, including developing experiments and identifying equipment needs.
• Advise students in their academic journey and mentor their professional development.
• Engage in a consistent and focused line of research involving undergraduate students; pursuit of external funding is encouraged.
• Contribute to student recruitment, experiential learning opportunities, and relationships with external partners.
• Support preparation for ABET accreditation by developing assessment tools, evaluating student learning, and documenting continuous improvement.
• Provide service to the department, university, and profession.

Benefits

• Startup funds.
• Pre-tenure sabbatical.
• Mentoring and professional development.
• Opportunities for student-faculty research through the Summer Scholarship & Research Program and the OWU Connection.
• 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