Assistant Professor of Practice

Position Function:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University invites applications for one non-tenure track, nine-month faculty position, under the administrative supervision of the head of the department. An Assistant Professor of Practice in ME is an engineer and a scholar with a strong interest in teaching, supervising undergraduate students, and providing service to the department. The successful candidate will be expected to make significant contributions to the department's teaching and service responsibilities.

The following are illustrations of the various types of duties assigned to this position, The absence of
specific statements of duties do not exclude those duties from the position if the work is similar, related, or
a logical assignment of the position.
1. Teach a variety of undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Mechanical Engineering.
2. Engage in routine departmental, college, and university service functions and committees, as requested.
3. Advise undergraduate student design teams and organizations.
4. Participate in required scholarly activities as part of the College's accreditation standards.
5. Develop and deliver experiential learning opportunities and industry-aligned curricula.
6. Collaborate with faculty and staff on workforce development, outreach, and industry engagement efforts.
7. Contribute to grant writing, proposal development, and externally funded projects, particularly those tied to applied practice
8. Serve as a liaison between the university and industry/government partners to promote collaboration and innovation.
9. Mentor students on professional development, internships, career readiness, and capstone or applied research projects.
10. Engage in other related duties, as assigned.

Salary Grade:  UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University is an R1 institution with very high research activity. The Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering is one of eight academic departments in the Bagley College of Engineering. The Mechanical Engineering School’s faculty research expenditure is approximately $15.2M annually for 20 tenure/tenure-track faculty. The Mechanical Engineering School offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate program in mechanical engineering, as well as graduate studies leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Mechanical Engineering School has over 1,100 undergraduate and 110 graduate students and has the largest student enrollment within the Bagley College of Engineering and 2nd/3rd largest within Mississippi State University.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2026

Tenure Track Status:

Non-Tenure Track

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

•Teach undergraduate mechanical engineering courses with a focus on applied topics such as design, prototyping, manufacturing, CAD, and engineering standards.
•Assist in coordinating and mentoring senior capstone design projects, including industry-sponsored and multidisciplinary team projects, ensuring alignment with ABET outcomes and professional standards.
• Develop and deliver hands-on, project-based learning experiences that prepare students for real-world engineering roles, emphasizing professional practice, teamwork, communication, and ethical responsibility.
•Support student organizations and competition teams (e.g., Formula SAE, Baja SAE, ASME, Manufacturing Club) through mentorship, technical guidance, and project oversight.
•Engage with industry partners to create opportunities for experiential learning, guest lectures, capstone sponsorship, and student internships or co-op placements.
•Contribute to curriculum development in areas related to design, manufacturing, engineering communication, and professional practice.
•Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committees, outreach, and recruitment events.
•Assist in assessment and accreditation efforts, including documentation and continuous improvement of ABET-aligned learning outcomes.
•Promote a culture of safety and professionalism in lab-based courses and team environments, ensuring students adhere to best practices in engineering processes.
•Remain current with industry trends and tools, integrating relevant software, hardware, and practices into instructional content to ensure student workforce readiness.

Minimum Qualifications:

• •Masters’ or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or related area OR its equivalent in professional achievement.
• •A minimum of 3 years of industry, government, or applied research experience relevant to the teaching field.
• •Demonstrated excellence in leadership, project management, and technical communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

•Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are a must.
•Proven ability to connect industry practice with academic instruction and student mentorship
•Prior teaching or mentorship experience in higher education or professional training environments.
•Familiarity with accreditation standards (e.g., ABET) and outcomes-based education.
•Active professional licensure or certifications relevant to the field (e.g., PE, PMP, OSHA, Six Sigma, etc.).
•Ideal candidates will bring practical experience in one or more of the following areas: mechanical system design, CAD modeling, design for manufacturing (DFM), additive and subtractive manufacturing, engineering standards (e.g., ASME, ISO), and multidisciplinary design-build-test projects
•The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals, demonstrated success in applied or industry-based engineering environments, and a commitment to teaching excellence and student engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of applied mechanical engineering, particularly in engineering design, prototyping, manufacturing processes, and industry best practices.
• • Expertise in mechanical system design and proficiency in CAD modeling tools.
• • Strong understanding of design for manufacturing (DFM) principles and both additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques.
• • Familiarity with industry standards, including ASME and ISO.
• • Experience with multidisciplinary, design-build-test projects, particularly those integrating hands-on, experiential learning environments.
• • Solid foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals, with proven success in applied or industry-based engineering roles.
• • Commitment to excellence in teaching, fostering student engagement, and contributing to workforce readiness through hands-on engineering education.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.

Instructions For Applying:

Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, and names with complete contact information for at least three professional references. Any social numbers included on requested documents should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.