Department Chair, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Michigan Technological University•Houghton, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) invites applications from eligible internal candidates for the position of Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), with an anticipated appointment start date of July 1, 2027. The ECE Department provides undergraduate education in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and robotics engineering and graduate education in electrical and computer engineering. The department supports research and teaching across signals and systems; communications and signal processing; computer engineering; cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems; power and energy systems; controls and robotics; microelectronics, semiconductor devices, and VLSI; electromagnetics; optics and photonics; and related areas. The department emphasizes hands-on learning, including laboratory-based education, Senior Design, Enterprise, and industry-engaged projects.

Requirements

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated leadership and administrative accomplishments in an academic, government, or industrial setting, including experience with budgeting and resource allocation.
Experience commensurate with a tenured professor in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience teaching courses in electrical engineering, computer engineering, robotics engineering, or a closely related area at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Proven success in securing and managing external research funding and maintaining a national and/or international reputation in a relevant field.
Experience mentoring and advising graduate students toward degree completion.
Experience teaching at the university level.
Experience in partnership development with industry, government, or alumni.
Experience with administrative responsibilities.
Knowledge of and engagement with best practices in teaching and mentoring methods.

Nice To Haves

Scholarly record of excellence appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field.
Evidence of building or leading large interdisciplinary collaborations or multi-institutional projects (e.g., centers, institutes, large research teams, or applied partnerships).
Prior engagement with department and university strategic plans and visions.
Experience working with ABET-accredited engineering programs, continuous improvement processes, or curricular innovation.
Experience in mentoring and promoting faculty, staff, and students, with evidence of fostering their professional and academic success.
Experience with fundraising and advancement activities.
Ability to lead strategically, motivate personnel, and align departmental goals with college and university priorities.
Skill in collaboration, consensus-building, and conflict resolution, fostering a productive and respectful departmental climate.
Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with all department constituents.
Commitment to health and safety, continuous improvement, and strong leadership in research, teaching, and operations.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to the department that respects shared governance and supports excellence for department faculty, staff, and students.
Serve as the chief administrative officer of the department with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, personnel management, and departmental operations.
Develop a vision and practices to support continued growth and excellence in hands-on experiential education and undergraduate and graduate enrollments.
Support and expand externally funded research, encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives, and strengthen the department’s national and international visibility.
Manage and evaluate faculty and staff, including recommendations for hiring, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and salary adjustments.
Facilitate professional development of faculty, staff, and students through mentoring, guidance, and recognition of achievement.
Ensure compliance and excellence in ABET and university assessment activities, and lead continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Strengthen relationships with alumni, industry, government, and professional organizations to support education, research, and outreach initiatives.
Lead fundraising efforts and cultivate relationships with alumni and donors to advance the department’s strategic priorities in collaboration with the dean and the university’s Office of Advancement.
Provide leadership to foster a culture of safety; promote safety through actions, communication, and training.