Assistant Professor of Practice

University of Mississippi•University, MS

About The Position

The University of Mississippi invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Product Realization in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The position supports the university’s emphasis on connecting design, materials, manufacturing processes, and testing to turn concepts into products. The successful candidate will develop and deliver innovative undergraduate courses and laboratories that bridge design intent and manufacturability. Courses will be accessible to students across the School of Engineering. The role is not eligible for tenure. Instruction will address fundamental and advanced fabrication methods, including machining, casting, molding, thermoforming, sheet metal forming, additive manufacturing, digital fabrication, prototyping, and process control. The candidate will translate professional expertise into hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates for leadership roles in modern engineering firms, and incorporate industry applications of artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing into courses and labs. The position also includes developing hands-on laboratories and design-build projects, mentoring students, creating industry-sponsored project opportunities, building partnerships with companies, and collaborating with academic and industry partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field.
At least five years of professional experience in aerospace, automotive, or related manufacturing industries, focused on manufacturing processes and process control.
Proven experience teaching or mentoring in academic or professional settings.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage a multidisciplinary engineering student body.
Ability to translate professional expertise into hands-on learning environments.
Familiarity with industry applications of artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing.

Nice To Haves

Significant industry experience in aerospace, automotive, energy, or related advanced manufacturing sectors.
Experience collaborating with engineering design and product development programs.
Familiarity with interdisciplinary teaching approaches that integrate engineering and business practices.
Industry experience applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, or advanced production technologies—such as Industry 4.0, connected sensors and IIoT, automation, and digital twins—in production environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and teach Product Realization courses focused on modern and digitally enabled engineering design and fabrication technologies.
Teach product realization concepts including design for manufacture, prototyping, material selection, tolerance, quality, and sustainability considerations.
Teach fundamental manufacturing processes—including machining, casting, molding, forming, joining, and additive manufacturing—with attention to process selection, design, and cost, rate, and quality trade-offs.
Teach digital fabrication and automation topics, including Industry 4.0, connected machines and sensors (IIoT), robotics, automation, and digital twins of products and processes.
Teach AI and data-driven process control, including statistical process control, quality systems, machine-learning-based process monitoring, predictive maintenance, machine vision inspection, and data-driven factory-floor decisions.
Develop and oversee hands-on labs and design-build projects emphasizing iterative design, testing and validation, systems-level thinking, and data-driven decision-making.
Mentor students in product realization pathways.
Provide students with real-world project opportunities through industry-sponsored collaborations.
Build partnerships with regional and national companies to provide internships, co-ops, and collaborative projects.
Incorporate guest lectures, case studies, and applied research opportunities with industry partners.
Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with the Center for Manufacturing Excellence and other collaborators.