Department Chair, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. The department covers undergraduate electrical, computer, and robotics engineering and graduate programs.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic leadership, support growth in hands‑on education and enrollments, and lead externally funded research while maintaining national and international visibility.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and administrative accomplishments in academic/government/industrial settings.
• Experience teaching electrical/computer/robotics engineering at undergrad/grad levels.
• Proven success securing and managing external research funding.
• Mentoring and advising graduate students toward degree completion.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Oversee strategic planning, budgeting, and personnel management.
• Develop a vision for hands-on education and enrollments growth.
• Lead fundraising and external relations to support department priorities.
• Ensure ABET accreditation and ongoing program improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Teaching (university)

Mentoring graduate students

External research funding

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Job description

This application is open for Michigan Tech University employees (internal).

Ensured Consideration Date: October 28, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

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.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• 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, eappointment, 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.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.

Required Experience

• 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.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• 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.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• 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.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Required University Training

• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti‑Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Department Training

Employees engaged in laboratory research activities or laboratory instruction are expected to complete applicable core safety training offered through University Environmental Health and Safety, with periodic refreshers as required.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) %

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

11 months

Pay Rate/Salary

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience

Title of Position Supervisor

College Dean

Posting Type

Internal Only

Dependent on Funding

False

Additional Information

Michigan Tech is a Carnegie‑classified R1 research university. The University's academic culture emphasizes rigor, experiential learning, research, and strong engagement with industry and government.

The College of Engineering consists of nine academic departments and supports a broad engineering portfolio.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906‑487‑2280 or [e-mail].

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on‑campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug‑Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.