Professor of the Practice & Director - Engineering Design Program

Northeastern University; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University in Oakland seeks a visionary Director to establish and scale the BS in Engineering Design. Reporting to the Dean of Engineering, this founding role blends AI-fluent, human-centered pedagogy with strong industry partnerships, co-op, and experiential learning to prepare engineers ready for day one in industry.

You will build partnerships, secure funding, and lead curriculum development, operations, and outcomes in a self-supporting Bay Area setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or closely related field required.
• Experience designing, launching, or reforming engineering education programs with experiential/interdisciplinary/AI-integrated learning.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible academic program leadership and industry partnership management.
• Experience with co-op-based or experiential learning environments preferred.
• Strong track record in program development and partnerships in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and development of the BS in Engineering Design to align with workforce trends and AI-native instruction.
• Build and manage industry partnerships across project sponsors, curriculum partners, and integrated employers.
• Oversee co-op placements and experiential learning to ensure student readiness.
• Direct program operations, enrollment, and academic standards.
• Manage finances, budgets, and external funding opportunities.
• Lead marketing, outreach, and recruitment to grow the program and team.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Partnership management

Academic leadership

Interdisciplinary teamwork

AI integration

Fundraising & revenue

Stakeholder management

Program development

Education

PhD in engineering

Tools

CRM systems

Learning management systems

Job description

About The Opportunity Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and a world leader in experiential learning. The same commitment to connecting with the world drives our use-inspired research enterprise. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Our campuses across North America and in the UK are platforms for undergraduate and graduate learning and collaborative research. Northeastern's signature cooperative education model integrates rigorous academic study with professional experience, producing graduates who are career-ready from day one.

About The Opportunity Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and a world leader in experiential learning. The same commitment to connecting with the world drives our use-inspired research enterprise. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Our campuses across North America and in the UK are platforms for undergraduate and graduate learning and collaborative research. Northeastern's signature cooperative education model integrates rigorous academic study with professional experience, producing graduates who are career-ready from day one. Summary Reporting to the Dean of Engineering and in close collaboration with the Dean of the Oakland campus, the role provides strategic and visionary leadership and administrative oversight for the BS in Engineering Design program at the Oakland campus. This is a founding leadership role responsible for launching, building, and scaling a first-of-its-kind undergraduate engineering program designed to produce AI-fluent, human-centered, interdisciplinary engineers who are ready to contribute from day one in industry. The ideal candidate is an innovative engineering educator who brings both deep technical expertise and a track record of reimagining how engineering is taught. This leader understands that the next generation of engineers must be more than technically proficient — they must be AI-fluent, entrepreneurially minded, and equipped to solve complex, human-centered problems across disciplinary boundaries. They are excited by the opportunity to build a program from the ground up that challenges traditional engineering education models and sets a new standard for what an undergraduate engineering degree can be. The role is responsible for creating, expanding, and managing a diverse portfolio of industry partnerships, curriculum development initiatives, and experiential learning opportunities — including co-op placements and industry-sponsored capstone projects — that bring the program's vision to life. This role operates within a self-supporting financial model and requires demonstrated ability to develop revenue-generating partnerships at multiple levels, ranging from project sponsorships and curriculum co-development to fully integrated talent pipeline and co-location arrangements. Working collaboratively across engineering faculty, academic administrators, and external industry partners, the Director builds a unified, high-impact program that integrates technical engineering fundamentals with AI fluency, human-centered design, entrepreneurial thinking, and multidisciplinary systems thinking. The Director develops and promotes marketing initiatives through strategic public relations and community outreach, and works in concert with campus leadership to strategize on program growth across the Bay Area. The position demands exceptional ability to lead interdisciplinary groups, convene diverse stakeholders, and build consensus across departments and industries to achieve the program's mission of producing engineers of the future who can not only build what is technically possible, but imagine, design, and bring to market what is genuinely needed.

Qualifications Education & Experience:

• PhD in engineering or a closely related field required
• Demonstrated experience designing, launching, or significantly reforming engineering education programs, with a focus on experiential, interdisciplinary, or AI-integrated learning models
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in academic program leadership, industry partnership management, or workforce development within an engineering or technical higher education setting
• Experience in a co-op-based or experiential learning environment strongly preferred
• Record of scholarly or applied work in engineering education, curriculum innovation, or related fields is a plus

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Deep understanding of engineering education pedagogy, competency frameworks, and industry workforce trends, with a particular emphasis on next-generation and AI-integrated curriculum design
• Familiarity with the application of AI tools — including machine learning, simulation, and data analysis — in engineering practice and education
• Broad knowledge across multidisciplinary engineering domains including mechanical, thermal, electrical, and data systems, sufficient to credibly lead a cross-disciplinary program
• Experience with learning management systems, co-op or experiential learning platforms, and CRM systems
• Understanding of industry accreditation standards relevant to undergraduate engineering programs (e.g., ABET)

Leadership & Management

• Proven track record of successful program development and revenue generation within a self-supporting business model
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with engineering firms, technology companies, and industry organizations, spanning project sponsorship, curriculum co-development, and deep talent pipeline integration
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Track record of innovation in program delivery, industry engagement, and business model development
• Budget management experience and financial acumen
• Established relationships with engineering and technology organizations in the Bay Area or comparable markets
• Ability to develop and lead strategic initiatives and follow through to completion; excellent management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• A high degree of self-motivation and self-direction, coupled with a proven track record of collaborative work and demonstrated success in partnership development and relationship management
• Ability to work in a matrixed environment to deliver against shared goals
• Effective communicator and collaborator with the ability to motivate others toward shared goals
• Ability to track activity and report results; ability to collaborate with faculty and staff across programs, schools, colleges, and departments including Deans, Associate Deans, Program Directors, and other academic administrators
• Organizational tact and diplomacy; superb interpersonal skills required to develop close relationships with external partners and key influencers across the university and the broader Bay Area community
• Demonstrated ability to build internal and external collaborations, finding solutions benefiting all parties, and focusing on long-term success over short-term results; ability to serve as an ambassador for the university in the region
• Demonstrated commitment to belonging efforts and building an inclusive engineering pipeline
• Flexibility for travel within the region and as needed

Responsibilities Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

Strategic Planning & Innovative Program Development (25%) Develop and execute annual strategic plans for the BS in Engineering Design program that align with Northeastern's mission and respond to engineering workforce trends. Champion and operationalize the program's innovative educational model — integrating AI-native instruction, human-centered design, and interdisciplinary project-based learning across all four years of the curriculum. Oversee the program launch in Fall 2027 and implement long-term plans to ensure growth, continuous curriculum innovation, and academic excellence. Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the program's reach and reputation within the Bay Area and beyond. Work closely with faculty to embed AI tools, real-world industry projects, and entrepreneurial frameworks throughout the student experience.

Industry Partnership Development & Business Growth (25%) Establish and maintain a structured portfolio of industry partnerships at three levels of engagement: (1) Project and Problem Sponsors, who contribute real-world design challenges for student teams and participate in project reviews and mentorship; (2) Curriculum Partners, who co-develop course content, embed tools and case studies, and help shape the technical and professional competencies built into the degree; and (3) Integrated Partners, who employ students during co-ops, co-fund faculty roles, and may co-locate on the Oakland campus to build a sustained talent pipeline. Generate business contracts totaling established annual revenue goals through direct outreach and partnership development. Coordinate communication and provide consultation to stakeholders across engineering, technology, and business sectors.

Co-op & Experiential Learning Oversight (20%) Oversee the development and management of co-op placements for two required co-ops per student, typically at the end of Year 2 and Year 4. Ensure all students have access to meaningful, industry-embedded experiences that align with program competencies and the goal of producing day-one-ready engineers. Develop processes for co-op employer onboarding, student preparation, and post-placement evaluation. Monitor co-op quality and employer satisfaction to maintain program standards and student outcomes.

Program Operations & Supervision (15%) Direct day-to-day operations of the Engineering Design program, ensuring policies, procedures, and academic standards are upheld. Oversee scheduling, enrollment, and delivery of program components, achieving enrollment targets and maintaining quality. Analyze enrollment and performance data quarterly to inform program adjustments and resource allocation. Implement and maintain technology systems that support efficient program operations, industry project management, and student tracking.

Financial Management & Resource Development (10%) Achieve annual revenue targets within a self-supporting business model. Develop and manage the annual operating budget, oversee program expenditures, and maintain fiscal responsibility achieving break-even or surplus. Identify and pursue external funding opportunities including grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic support. Prepare and submit all required budget and performance reports on schedule. Maintain accurate financial tracking and reporting systems.

Marketing, Outreach & Team Leadership (5%) Lead marketing efforts to promote the program to prospective students, industry partners, and the broader Bay Area engineering community, positioning it as a national model for innovative engineering education. Supervise, evaluate, and develop direct reports, conducting annual performance reviews and providing ongoing coaching. Recruit, train, and retain qualified instructors and industry-based faculty to deliver high-quality educational programming. Lead interdisciplinary planning committees and working groups to achieve collaborative program development goals. Foster a team culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Position Type Academic

Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay Range Professor of the Practice: $127,000.00 - $250,000.00 | Professor of the Practice: $127,000.00 - $250,000.00 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.