WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range beginning $95,000-$110,000/yr, commensurate with qualifications

Work Schedule: Dependent on teaching assignment and research program needs.; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering at Wichita State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mechanical Engineering (mechanism design/robotics area). We seek an innovative scholar and educator who will contribute to our academic programs and research profile. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop a productive research program, and provide service to the university and profession. This position is a 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of Fall 2027.

The Department has three-degree programs (one bachelor’s, one master’s, and one PhD program), and three graduate certificate programs. Our undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, which means the curriculum has met rigorous benchmarks and goals, as has our graduate programs. Additionally, our department is committed to experience-based instruction and research, so students have the opportunity to engage in paid applied learning experiences and research with our faculty even as undergraduates. Graduates of our programs go on to design products and machines, as well as develop processes for manufacturing. New faculty will find supportive colleagues and opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Teaching:
Develop and teach courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in mechanical engineering in mechanism design/robotics. This includes designing curriculum and instructional materials, delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities (in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. The faculty member will mentor and advise students, including supervising research projects or theses/dissertation as appropriate, and incorporate applied learning opportunities (e.g. projects with industry or community partners) into the coursework whenever possible.

Research/Scholarly Activity:
Successful applicants for the position will demonstrate deep expertise and establish and maintain an active research program in one or more of the following topics: mechanism design; robotics and intelligent system design; design and manufacturing of engineered materials systems; design cognition; design collaboration; data science and artificial intelligence in design; immersive design; and design at extreme scales and in extreme environments. The research activity should advance the next generation of engineers and researchers by developing a deep understanding of the design, manufacturing and engineering of devices, products, processes, platforms, materials, organizations, systems, and systems of systems. The design of a modern intelligent system, in which the designers, the artifacts they create, the methods they use to create them, and the environment in which this occurs are all subject to rigorous scientific inquiry, along with the interactions among these elements; is of particular importance. Publishing peer-reviewed scholarly work and disseminating results in academic venues if of great importance. The faculty member is expected to seek external funding (grants or industry collaboration) to support research activities and, where applicable, engage in interdisciplinary projects or partnerships with industry, and advising and supervising undergraduate and graduate students’ thesis and dissertation projects. Excellence in scholarship should be demonstrated by a record of research accomplishments or clear potential for high-quality research output.

Service:
Participate in service activities within the department, college, and university, as well as in professional organizations. Service duties include committee work, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment, and community outreach. The faculty member will contribute to the governance and strategic initiatives of the department and may also engage in service to the broader profession (e.g. reviewing for journals, involvement in academic societies).

Other:
Fulfill other duties as assigned, in accordance with the faculty member’s talents and departmental needs. All Wichita State faculty are expected to uphold professional and ethical standards in teaching, research, and service.

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Required Education: An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field is required. Candidates must have completed the requirements for the Ph.D. by the time of appointment.
  
  
• Demonstrated potential for effective teaching in mechanism design; robotics and intelligent system design; and design and manufacturing of engineered materials systems. Evidence may include prior teaching experience, student evaluations, teaching awards, or a teaching philosophy that reflects best practices in instruction.
  
  
• Demonstrated potential for productive research and scholarship. This can be shown by publications, conference presentations, dissertation work, or other scholarly activities indicating the ability to develop an independent research program

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and students.
• The candidate should be able to collaborate in a collegial academic environment and adapt to the interdisciplinary and applied learning focus of Wichita State.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners in an academic environment.
• Potential to obtain external research funding, or evidence of previous success in securing grants, contracts, or industry-supported research funding.
• Ability to develop collaborations as part of a multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to provide instruction curriculum to a variety of learners.
• Interest in interdisciplinary work or industry collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interdisciplinary/Applied Focus:
  Experience or interest in interdisciplinary work or industry collaboration. For example, a history of working on research projects across disciplines or partnerships with industry and the community (aligned with Wichita State’s emphasis on applied learning and innovation) is desirable.

Additional Information:

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1. Cover Letter: A letter of application addressing how the candidate’s qualifications and experience align with the position, including a summary of teaching philosophy and research interests.

2. Teaching Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing teaching approach and experience (including course topics the candidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness).

3. Research Statement: A statement (1-3 pages) outlining current research accomplishments and future research plans. Emphasize how these might involve students or connect to interdisciplinary and industry-related opportunities at WSU.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026. The start date for this appointment is August 2027.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement: