Associate/Full Professor and Academic Program Director of Mechanical Engineering

Role details

POSTING INFORMATION

Internal Title

Associate/Full Professor and Academic Program Director of Mechanical Engineering

Position Type

Tenure-track

School/Area

School of Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics

Department

Engineering

Position Description

The School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics (SECM) at the College of Charleston invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position to serve as the founding Academic Program Director of Mechanical Engineering at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with an anticipated start date of August 2027. Appointment rank, tenure status, and salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Teaching and research are mutually supportive activities at the College of Charleston. The successful applicant will have a plan for bringing a research program to the College.

Relevant areas include heat transfer, thermal fluids, fluid mechanics, machine design, mechanics of materials, materials science, robotics, mechatronics, instrumentation and controls, combustion, or other relevant mechanical engineering topics.

The successful candidate will provide academic leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a new Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program in Mechanical Engineering. This position presents a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial educator and scholar to lead the creation of a distinctive mechanical engineering program at a rapidly growing public university located in one of the nation’s most vibrant manufacturing and technology corridors. This is an exciting time to join the University as it continues strong enrollment growth and is strategically investing to increase national prominence.

The Program Director will work collaboratively with engineering faculty, faculties across campus, administrators across the College, and external stakeholders to develop and launch the Mechanical Engineering program. The successful candidate will lead efforts to establish program educational objectives, student outcomes, curriculum, laboratories, assessment processes, industry partnerships, and an advisory board necessary to support future accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

Established in 2023 as part of this new School, the Department of Engineering currently offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Systems Engineering, Integrated Engineering and Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in General Engineering. The department is continuing its strategic expansion by the addition of both Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs.

The addition of Mechanical Engineering represents a major strategic initiative for the College and aligns with opportunities for expanding collaboration with the substantial manufacturing base in Charleston, regional engineering activities, and South Carolina’s growing automotive, aerospace, energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries.

SECM offers a friendly, dynamic, and collaborative environment, with ample opportunities for interdisciplinary partnerships across the university’s ten schools. The university is located a short drive from Boeing, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz Vans facilities, Joint Base Charleston, Naval Information Warfare Center (NWIC) Atlantic, and the defense ecosystem surrounding, and more, providing exceptional opportunities for collaboration in mechanical engineering research, innovation, and student experiential learning.

Appointment as Academic Program Director is expected upon hire and is accompanied by teaching load reassignment to support program leadership and administrative responsibilities. The Program Director appointment is a renewable administrative assignment reporting to the Department Chair of Engineering and is subject to College policies and procedures.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the establishment, growth, and continuous improvement of the Mechanical Engineering B.S. program.

• Lead curriculum development and implementation consistent with institutional and ABET accreditation requirements.

• Mentor and provide professional development for junior faculty in Mechanical Engineering.

• Develop and maintain program educational objectives, student outcomes, assessment processes, and continuous improvement plans.

• Lead and coordinate preparation for initial and continuing ABET accreditation.

• Coordinate course scheduling, enrollment planning, and instructional staffing for the Mechanical Engineering program.

• Recruit, advise, and mentor Mechanical Engineering students.

• Collaborate with Engineering Department leadership regarding faculty hiring needs, resource planning, and laboratory development.

• Develop partnerships with aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing industries, and other external stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain an effective Industrial Advisory Board.

• Prepare annual reports, strategic plans, and budget requests for the program.

• Promote student success through experiential learning, undergraduate research, internships, and industry engagement.

• Maintain an active program of scholarship and participate in service activities consistent with faculty rank and expectations.

• Teach undergraduate engineering courses.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

• Proven track record of teaching, advising, and mentoring students.

• Evidence of excellence in academic research and scholarly achievement appropriate for appointment at the rank sought.

• Academic qualifications sufficient to teach core mechanical engineering coursework, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.

• Experience with engineering curriculum development.

• Knowledge of ABET accreditation processes and requirements.

• Strong written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and academic units.

Additional Qualifications by Rank

• Associate Professor: Record of teaching effectiveness, scholarly achievement, and service consistent with appointment at the associate professor level. The ability to be granted tenure at time of hire preferred.

• Professor: Distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and leadership sufficient for appointment with tenure at the professor rank.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing, coordinating, or directing an academic program.

• Experience with ABET self-study preparation, accreditation reviews, or continuous improvement processes.

• Experience in heat transfer, thermal fluids, fluid mechanics, machine design, mechanics of materials, materials science, robotics, mechatronics, instrumentation and controls, combustion, or related areas.

• Experience developing mechanical engineering teaching and research laboratories.

• Experience collaborating with government or industry partners.

• Experience securing externally funded research, educational, or workforce development programs.

• Interdisciplinary experience spanning engineering and mechanical engineering fields.

• Possessing an ABET accredited B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering

• Post-doctoral and/or industry experience
• Experience with relevant regulatory processes and standards, as appropriate (e.g. OSHA, ASTM, SAE, etc.)

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should submit:

• Letter of application addressing qualifications for the position and interest in developing a new Mechanical Engineering program.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Statement of teaching philosophy.

• Statement of research and scholarly interests.

• Statement describing experience with program development, accreditation, academic leadership, or related activities.

• Names and contact information for three references.

For additional information, contact

Dr. G. Wes Hitt

Chair, Mechanical Engineering Program Director Search Committee

Department of Engineering

School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics

College of Charleston

66 George Street

Charleston, SC 29424

Email: [email protected]

About the College of Charleston and the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics:

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is a comprehensive public university and committed to developing intellectually versatile and globally fluent citizens who create innovative solutions to social, economic, and technological challenges. A primarily undergraduate institution with strong graduate degree programs, the university prides itself on excellence in education. The university enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and 1000 graduate students.

In its 2025 edition, *U.S. News & World Report* ranks the College as the No. 4 top public university in the south, the No. 5 ranked college for veterans among southern institutions, the No. 9 most innovative school in the region, and the No. 3 best college for undergraduate teaching in the south and a best value regional college. The College is in the heart of beautiful Charleston. Visit the College’s website at https://www.cofc.edu. Visit the School’s website at https://charleston.edu/school-engineering-computing-mathematics/.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin on 12/1/2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Posting Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled?

Yes

Posting Number

F2026026P

EEO Statement

The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.