Department Head of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Professor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 171,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Relocation assistance

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for the Department Head of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the McComish Department. The 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible role leads program growth, research strategy, and accreditation efforts in a dynamic, land-grant setting.

The successful candidate will guide faculty in teaching, research, and service, align with SDSU's Pathway to Premier 2030 goals, and foster industry collaboration in AI, CS, and EE

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field.
• Proven leadership and administrative experience in an academic setting.
• Experience securing external funding and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead department and work with Dean to advance strategic priorities.
• Oversee undergraduate and graduate programs and ABET processes.
• Foster collaboration with industry and government partners.

Skills

Leadership

Administration

Strategic planning

Communication

Curriculum development

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Job description

Job Title

Department Head of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Professor

Location

Brookings, SD

About the Department

The McComish Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science ( EECS ) at South Dakota State University ( SDSU ) is seeking dynamic and collaborative leader to serve as the Department Head at the rank of Professor. Depending on the selected candidate’s area of expertise, faculty endowment may also be available. We are looking for a leader who is committed to providing a rigorous and practical educational experience with an emphasis on expanding federally funded research and graduate programs to support South Dakota State University’s R1 Our Way mission, as well as establishing and providing scientific support to local industry and government. This position is 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position, located in Brookings SD and reports to the Dean of the Jerome J. Johr College of Engineering (JJLCOE ). Anticipated start of January 2027. The McComish Department of EECS offers BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Computer Science; andElectrical Engineering; Specialization in Power Systems Engineering; and minors in Informatics, Computer Engineering, and Software Engineering. Currently, the department has over 250 undergraduate students, over 50 graduate students, and a vibrant graduate program with external annual funding of approximately $2.5M. The BS program in Computer Science is accredited by the CAC of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs and the BS program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the EAC of ABET, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The department, college, and University provide excellent facilities for cutting-edge research. Several faculty members in the college, including faculty members in the EECS department, have received NSF - CAREER or equivalent awards. Currently, the EECS Department has three endowed faculty positions. The department is committed to providing a rigorous and practical educational experience, with an emphasis on design and problem-solving, conducting world-class research relevant to the region, and providing technical assistance to existing and emerging businesses, industries, and government.

Key Responsibilities

The Department Head will work closely with the Dean and the leadership team of the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering ( JJLCOE ) to promote the land-grant mission and an ambitious agenda to address the world’s grand challenges in the areas of computer science, computer engineering, artificial intelligence, and electrical engineering. The selected candidate is expected to lead the EECS Department in identifying future areas of growth and investment while providing organizational and administrative expertise to the Department and the JJLCOE . The candidate is expected to steer the growth of the department consistent with SDSU’s refreshed strategic plan titled "Pathway to Premier 2030". The strategic plan includes a goal to elevate SDSU as a research university and pursue a pathway to achieve designation as an R1 Research University by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is imperative that this position maintains an understanding of current and emerging issues in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering as defined by rapidly changing workforce needs as well as applied and fundamental research needs in varied yet integrated areas related to cloud computing, machine learning, materials and sensor development, IOT, embedded software, high-performance computing, and the power industry. This knowledge will guide both research and teaching initiatives within the department. It is the Department Head’s responsibility to lead the faculty in their efforts to provide high-quality service courses at all levels, engage with client departments to determine their course needs, monitor trends in general education and service courses, and implement high-impact teaching and learning strategies. Along with leadership, the Department Head is an advocate for the McComish Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science both within and outside the University, fostering a commitment to interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration.

Benefits

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Salary and Compensation

Advertised Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $190,000.

Contract and Hours

• Duration of the Term: 12 months
• Appointment Percent: 100
• Tenure Status: Tenure Track
• Work Hours: Typically 8-5, M-F, Variable evening and weekend hours
• Typical Hours Worked Per Week: 45-50
• Appointment Type: Regular
• Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

Posting Details

• Posting Number: F01922P
• Posting Date: 08/10/2026
• First Consideration Date: 09/07/2026
• Open Until Filled: Yes

Eligibility

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a closely related field by date of application.
• A distinguished record of teaching, research, scholarship, and service consistent with being eligible for tenure and rank of Professor at SDSU in EECS . Standards documents are available upon request.
• Evidence of effective leadership and administrative skills including management of academic and research programs, managing complex budgets, fiscal matters, and/or personnel within an academic setting.
• Experience securing nationally competitive grants for research from federal, industry, and/or corporate sources.
• An understanding of the land-grant mission.
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation processes and procedures, or experience as an ABET Program Evaluator/Team Chair.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience mentoring faculty in developing strategies for pursuing external funding and in creating strong research programs.
• Experience in academic administration, including the development, evaluation and oversight of undergraduate academic programs, curricula and/or instructional operations.
• Active engagement in technical societies such as the IEEE and ACM.
• Experience with collaboration across disciplines and/or with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with recruitment, retention, and success of faculty, staff and students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Experience with successfully leading a department through an ABET accreditation visit.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements:

• Analyzing
• Comprehend
• Logic
• Memory
• Multiple Priorities
• Multiple Stimuli
• Pace-fast
• Perform calculations
• Reading
• Reasoning
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication

Sensory Requirements:

• Hearing
• Speaking
• Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Environment:

• Office Environment
• Classroom Environment

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Yucheng Liu at [e-mail].