Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor of Practice

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Utah State University seeks three full-time, non-tenure-track Professors of Practice to lead the development and delivery of a multi-course CORE Design and Problem Solving Experience in the undergraduate Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering curricula. At least one hire will have a systems engineering background and contribute to coursework for a professional master’s degree in systems engineering. Rank and appointment details will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The CORE experience is intended to bridge classroom learning and professional engineering practice through hands-on projects and authentic engineering challenges for students in their second and third years. The sequence will help students address ambiguous, open-ended problems by integrating independently acquired knowledge, engineering judgment, technical communication, and iterative design. Learning will emphasize experimentation, testing, refinement, and learning from failure. The program will develop student competencies in engineering design and systems thinking; structured problem solving; requirements development and management; research and development; risk assessment and decision making; engineering analysis; Design-for-X principles; prototyping, testing, validation, and verification; documentation and technical reporting; stakeholder communication; teamwork and project execution; independent learning; and iterative design and resilience. Professors of Practice will collaborate with faculty, students, and industry partners to develop and continuously improve the curriculum and its experiential learning activities.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
Significant professional experience in engineering practice, product development, systems engineering, research and development, manufacturing, aerospace, or a related technical field.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex engineering problems and lead technical projects.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to student-centered learning and experiential education.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching engineering courses at the university level.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Experience with systems engineering.
Experience with engineering design processes across the full product lifecycle.
Familiarity with outcomes-based assessment and continuous improvement practices.
Experience advising student organizations, project teams, or engineering competitions.
Established connections with industry, government laboratories, or research organizations.
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Education, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the CORE Design and Problem Solving Experience.
Develop project-based and experiential learning activities that integrate engineering science with professional engineering practice.
Establish learning outcomes, assessment strategies, and course materials for a multi-course sequence.
Collaborate with department faculty to align the curriculum with program objectives and accreditation requirements.
Coordinate annual curriculum review and revision to keep the program relevant to evolving industry needs.
Teach CORE courses and other courses assigned by the department head.
Mentor students through complex, open-ended engineering projects.
Foster a learning environment that values experimentation, iteration, and productive failure.
Guide students’ development in communication, teamwork, leadership, and project management.
Lead assessment of student learning and program effectiveness, including collection and analysis of evidence of student achievement and skill development.
Support departmental accreditation and continuous improvement activities.
Develop metrics and assessment frameworks for growth in engineering judgment, design capability, and problem-solving proficiency.
Serve as faculty advisor or co-advisor for engineering student organizations and competition teams.
Support student participation in regional, national, and international engineering competitions.
Help build a department-wide culture of hands-on learning, innovation, and professional engagement.
Develop and maintain industry relationships to ensure program relevance.
Seek industry-sponsored projects, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities.
Facilitate interactions between students and practicing engineers.
For at least one position, contribute to teaching coursework in support of a professional master’s degree in systems engineering.