Adjunct Faculty, Capstone Design Course (Multiple Openings)

Colorado School of Mines; Colorado; On-site; USD 33,480 - 66,960; Part time

Job summary

The Colorado School of Mines in Colorado is seeking candidates for a part-time Project Advisor for the Capstone Design Program. This role involves overseeing student teams as they tackle real-world engineering projects, providing essential guidance throughout the design process.

The ideal candidate should have an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related field and significant professional experience. Responsibilities include meeting with teams, grading, and supporting their development during class sessions. Competitive compensation is offered based on credits taught.

Qualifications

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a scientific, engineering, or engineering-related discipline.
• Have ≥5 years of professional engineering experience or a graduate-level degree in engineering with ≥3 years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee four student teams in a project advisory role.
• Hold weekly meetings and grade deliverables in a timely fashion.
• Attend all class sessions and support structured small-group activities.
• Guide teams in project management and professional communication.

Skills

Professional engineering experience

Technical communication

Problem solving

Guiding teamwork

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Project Advisor – Capstone Design Program

The Capstone Design Program at the Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a part‑time position as a Project Advisor. This adjunct faculty role provides project oversight to student teams in a real‑world application of technical problems.

The Capstone Design Program is a two‑semester, multidisciplinary design experience that brings together civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering students. Students work in teams to design and prototype solutions for real clients.

Responsibilities

• Oversee four student teams in a project advisory role and provide guidance as teams move through the design process.
• Hold weekly meetings with teams, respond to emails, and grade all student/team deliverables in a timely fashion using provided rubrics.
• Support structured small‑group activities derived from the lectures.
• Attend all class sessions delivered by course instructors and conduct recitation follow‑up activities.
• Attend all regular Project Advisor meetings, including kickoff and end‑of‑semester meetings with the capstone leadership team.
• Guide teams in project management, design evaluation, and professional communication with their client, including scope‑control when necessary.
• Engage with teams during the 8:00–9:00am hour on days without scheduled lectures (Tues‑Thu 8–10:45am classes).

Class Schedule

Lectures run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am to 10:45am. The first hour (8:00–9:00am) is led by full‑time faculty; the remaining time (9:00–10:45am) is devoted to advisors meeting with, evaluating, and assisting student teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a scientific, engineering, or engineering‑related discipline.
• Have ≥5years of professional engineering experience, or a graduate‑level degree in engineering with ≥3years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Civil, Electrical, Environmental, or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Active PE license and/or demonstrated undergraduate teaching experience.
• Experience in open‑ended problem solving, technical design, and guiding effective teamwork.
• Proficiency in technical communication and user‑engaged design, helping students identify and engage with stakeholders and users throughout the problem‑solving process.

Total Rewards

Salary: $6,000for 2SCH, $3,000 for 1SCH.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce. Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Mines is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you cannot access job openings or apply for a job on our site. Please contact the Human Resources team at [e-mail] or 303‑273‑3250 for assistance. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.