Instructor: Product Design and Manufacturing
About The Position
Oregon State University-Cascades invites applications for a full-time, 9-month fixed-term Instructor position in Mechanical Engineering, focused on the Product Design and Manufacturing (PD&M) option. Located in Bend, Oregon, the position supports teaching and service for the option and anchors its locally delivered course slate. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Senior Associate Dean. The PD&M option extends OSU’s Mechanical Engineering major to OSU-Cascades, with its first cohort enrolling in Fall 2027. The option emphasizes digital fabrication and sustainable product realization, serving Central Oregon industries such as outdoor recreation manufacturing, prototyping, additive fabrication, and sustainable product companies. The campus includes specialized facilities and equipment such as an industrial multi-material printer, CNC mill, materials testing system, additive manufacturing suite, and the OP:EN Studio for soft-goods product development. The instructor will provide hands-on laboratory and project-based instruction, advise and mentor students, oversee capstone and industry-partnered projects, and develop sustained partnerships with regional employers. The role also contributes to the long-term growth of Mechanical Engineering at OSU-Cascades through professional development, scholarly or professional engagement, and service to the campus, Central Oregon community, and relevant organizations.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Demonstrated professional experience in product design, manufacturing, or product development, including one or more of CAD/CAM, machining, additive manufacturing, materials selection, design for manufacturing, or production engineering.
- Hands-on experience with multiple manufacturing processes, such as machining, additive manufacturing, forming, or joining.
- Experience with, or demonstrated readiness for, teaching in a hands-on, laboratory-focused engineering education environment.
- Evidence of effective teaching, mentoring, or technical training in a classroom, workshop, or industry setting.
- Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate student success, with evidence of educating and mentoring a diverse group of learners.
- Demonstrated ability to support the success of students from diverse backgrounds through teaching, advising, mentoring, or related activities.
Nice To Haves
- PhD or terminal degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Significant industry experience in manufacturing, product design, or product development, particularly in outdoor recreation, consumer products, additive manufacturing, prototyping, or related sectors represented in Central Oregon.
- Experience teaching in a college or university setting, including laboratory course delivery.
- Expertise in one or more PD&M-relevant courses: Design for Manufacturing, Production Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, CAD/CAM, Mechanisms, Structure and Mechanics Laboratory, or Materials Selection.
- Hands-on expertise with industrial additive manufacturing (PolyJet, SLA, FDM, and metal processes), CNC machining, materials testing, metrology, and composites or sustainable materials.
- Experience with product development workflows, including concept-to-production, CAD/CAM pipelines, prototyping, design iteration, and vendor or supply-chain engagement.
- Demonstrated track record of collaboration with industry partners on sponsored capstone projects, student internships, or applied research.
- Experience participating in ABET-accredited engineering programs, including student outcomes assessment and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrable commitment to sustainable engineering practice, product lifecycle thinking, or responsible manufacturing.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical content to varied audiences, including students, industry partners, and the public.
Responsibilities
- Teach courses supporting the Mechanical Engineering major’s Product Design and Manufacturing option at OSU-Cascades, including manufacturing processes, production engineering, design for manufacturing, CAD/CAM, digital fabrication, materials, and hands-on engineering laboratory instruction.
- Teach the local-delivery annual course rotation that anchors the PD&M option at Cascades.
- Develop and refine courses within the OSU-Cascades curriculum.
- Coordinate the program and advise and mentor PD&M-track students.
- Oversee internships, experiential education, and capstone projects, including industry-partnered projects.
- Coordinate industry partnerships and participate in program review.
- Maintain professional currency through scholarly and/or professional development activities that support teaching and continued professional engagement.
- Participate in service related to OSU-Cascades, the Central Oregon community, professional societies, community organizations, and committees outside the Mechanical Engineering program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
