Position Details Posting Summary
College: College of Engineering App Sci Executive Area: Provost & VP Academic Affairs Department: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Posting Detail Information Posting Number: F303P Job Type: Tenure Track Pay Type: Exempt/Salaried Pay Grade: FS1 Campus Location: WMU-Kalamazoo - Parkview Campus Salary Range: Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience combined with an excellent benefits package.
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 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.
Additional Position Information
Go to http://www.wmich.edu/employees/faculty for benefits and other information.
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering as well as Masters 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) • Optional Documents: Other Transcripts, Samples of Teaching Materials