Faculty Specialist I Lecturer - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Tenure Track

Western Michigan University Portal; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University invites applications for a full-time Faculty Specialist position. This role focuses on undergraduate instruction and student success in either Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

Responsibilities include teaching, updating course materials, mentoring Senior Design projects, and managing instructional labs, withservice commitments and collaboration across the department.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering (or MS with 5 years of relevant experience).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• University-level teaching experience is preferred.
• Experience mentoring or supervising student projects or junior colleagues is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate courses, laboratories, and recitations in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Developing and updating course materials to align with curriculum and accreditation standards.
• Mentoring and advising undergraduate students, including supervision of Senior Design projects.
• Maintaining and managing instructional laboratories and equipment.
• Participating in department, college, and university service committees.
• Collaborating with faculty to support student recruitment and retention.
• Opportunity to participate in collaborative research activities in the department and college (not required to develop an independent program).

Skills

Communication skills

Teaching experience

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

MS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering with 5 years experience

Tools

CAD

FEA

CFD

Job description

Faculty Specialist I Lecturer - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Tenure Track

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Ph.D. candidate applicants expecting to complete all degree requirements before their start date are welcome to apply. If the degree has not yet been awarded, you must provide a letter from your institution confirming that all requirements have been met and specifying a conferral date within six months of your start date. Anticipated start of employment is the Fall 2026 semester.

Posting Summary

College

Executive Area

Executive Area Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Department

Department Mechanical & Aerospace Engr

Posting Number

Posting Number F303P

Job Type

Pay Type

Pay Grade

Pay Grade FS1

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - Parkview Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University invites applications for a full-time Faculty Specialist position. This is a teaching-focused position designed for a practitioner and educator who is dedicated to undergraduate instruction and student success.
We are seeking candidates to fill one of two specific but overlapping needs in the department:

• Aerospace Engineering Focus: Primarily responsible for teaching undergraduate courses within the Aerospace Engineering curriculum.
• Mechanical Engineering Focus: Primarily responsible for teaching undergraduate courses within the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.

Major Duties

• Teaching undergraduate courses, laboratories, and recitations in their respective discipline (Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering).
• Developing and updating course materials to ensure curriculum remains current with industry standards and accreditation requirements.
• Mentoring and advising undergraduate students, including the supervision of Senior Design projects.
• Maintaining and managing instructional laboratories and equipment.
• Participating in departmental, college, and university service committees.
• Collaborating with faculty to support student recruitment and retention efforts.
• The faculty specialist will have the opportunity to participate in collaborative research activities in the department and college, though they are not required to develop an independent research program.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. (or equivalent) from an accredited institution or an earned Master of Science degree from an accredited institution with an additional five (5) years of relevant profession experience prior to the start of the appointment. The degree must be in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline and have been conferred by an accredited institution.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in teaching at the university level.
• Significant industrial experience in mechanical or aerospace design, manufacturing, or analysis.
• Experience with industry-standard engineering software and tools (e.g., CAD , FEA , CFD , etc.).
• A track record of effective mentorship or supervision of student projects or junior colleagues.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Ph.D. candidate applicants expecting to complete all degree requirements before their start date are welcome to apply. If the degree has not yet been awarded, you must provide a letter from your institution confirming that all requirements have been met and specifying a conferral date within six months of your start date. Anticipated start of employment is the Fall 2026 semester.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers ABET -accredited undergraduate programs in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, as well as Master’s and Ph.D. programs in both disciplines. Our faculty are dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, preparing students for successful careers in industry, government, and academia.

Located in beautiful southwest Michigan in the vibrant city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a comprehensive and nationally recognized student-centered institution classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a doctoral university conducting research at a high level. The Kalamazoo area has a population of approximately 265,000, a low cost of living, and is located halfway between Chicago and Detroit. The community features NCAA and professional sports teams, exceptional outdoor recreation, as well as numerous opportunities to enjoy the arts, music and theater. It is a great place to raise a family.

Documents Needed To Apply

• Required Documents
  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • List of References
  • Teaching Philosophy
• Optional Documents
  • Other
  • Transcripts
  • Samples of Teaching Materials

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

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