Instructor: Product Design and Manufacturing

OSU Oregon State University • Bend, OR

2d • $85,000 - $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Oregon State University-Cascades invites applications for a full-time, 9-month fixed-term Instructor position in Mechanical Engineering, focused on Product Design and Manufacturing (PD&M), at its Bend, Oregon campus. The position supports the PD&M option within the Mechanical Engineering major and emphasizes manufacturing processes, product design, CAD/CAM, digital fabrication, materials selection, and hands-on engineering laboratory instruction. The instructor will deliver the local course rotation that anchors the Cascades PD&M option, which is designed around digital fabrication and sustainable product realization and the needs of Central Oregon industries. The option’s first cohort is expected to enroll in Fall 2027. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Senior Associate Dean.

The instructor will provide hands-on laboratory and project-based instruction, advise and mentor PD&M students, oversee capstone and industry-partnered projects, and develop sustained relationships with regional employers. The position contributes to the long-term growth of Mechanical Engineering at OSU-Cascades. The campus supports instruction with facilities and equipment including an industrial multi-material printer, CNC mill, materials testing system, additive manufacturing suite, and OP:EN Studio for soft-goods product development.

The role also includes scholarly or professional development to maintain disciplinary currency and support teaching, along with service to OSU-Cascades, the Central Oregon community, professional societies, community organizations, and committees outside the Mechanical Engineering program. The position is based in Bend, Oregon. Salary range is $85,000–$95,000, with an anticipated start date of September 16, 2027, and anticipated end date of June 15, 2028.

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 to teach 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 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 present 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 collaborating 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 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 laboratories.
• 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 program activities and advise and mentor PD&M-track students.
• Oversee internships and experiential education, supervise capstone projects, and coordinate industry partnerships.
• Participate in program review.
• Maintain professional currency through scholarly and/or professional development activities that support teaching and professional engagement.
• Participate in service related to OSU-Cascades, the Central Oregon community, professional societies or community organizations, and committee work outside the Mechanical Engineering program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level