Assoc./Full Professor of Engineering Practice for Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership Program

Job Summary

Purdue University’s College of Engineering invites applications for a Professor of Engineering Practice (PEP) position at the Associate/Full level in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The successful candidate will help build a new graduate program from the ground up, focusing on technical organizational leadership and management in Artificial Intelligence, Physical AI, and the AI Tech Stack.

About the Role

The role involves teaching graduate-level courses in the Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership program, serving as the inaugural Program Director, leading curriculum development, building industry partnerships, and mentoring students. The ideal candidate should have a PhD or equivalent experience, extensive professional networks, and a strong track record in technical leadership and organizational management.

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate-level courses in the Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership program, covering technical foundations and organizational leadership topics.
• Serve as the inaugural Program Director, providing academic and strategic leadership for the program.
• Lead the development and continuous refinement of curriculum across the Physical AI and AI Tech Stack tracks, ensuring alignment with industry needs and emerging technologies.
• Build and maintain partnerships with industry leaders, alumni, and external stakeholders, particularly within the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
• Initiate and guide programmatic activities that enhance student learning, professional development, and industry engagement.
• Mentor students and emerging leaders, drawing on professional experience to support career growth and leadership development.

Requirements

• A PhD degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline, or an MS degree in any of the above-mentioned disciplines plus a minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Significant organizational leadership and management experience, including leading technical teams, shaping organizational strategy, developing talent, and delivering products or programs at scale.
• Deep technical expertise in AI is not required, but a strong understanding of the complexities of managing technical organizations is essential.
• Experience in one or more of the following technical areas: physical AI, AI infrastructure, and robotics and autonomy industries.

Qualifications

• Exceptional experience in technical areas including Artificial Intelligence, Physical AI, the AI Tech Stack, advanced computing, and technical organizational leadership.
• Proven ability to shape and refine curriculum to meet industry needs and emerging technologies.
• Strong network in the Silicon Valley ecosystem, including industry leaders, alumni, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor students and emerging leaders, drawing on professional experience to support career growth and leadership development.

Skills

• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic environments and manage complex projects.
• Experience in building and maintaining industry partnerships.

Benefits

The role offers the chance to work closely with tech leaders, shape curriculum, and develop experiences that reflect real-world AI innovation organizational leadership, and the management capabilities required to guide technical teams and enterprises.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is flexible, allowing for a balance between online and in-person instruction, as well as optional enrichment and experiential opportunities in Palo Alto, California.

Contact Information

To apply, please submit an application to this site, including: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae or résumé, (3) statement of teaching philosophy, including your approach to working with technical professionals (max. 3 pg.), (4) statement on what emerging leaders in AI, the AI Tech Stack, and Physical AI need to know and how you would prepare them (max. 1 pg.), (5) Names and contact information of at least three references. The search committee may contact references to request letters. For questions regarding the position or the application process, contact Engineering Academic Affairs, Purdue Engineering, at coeacademicaffairs@purdue.edu. Review of applications will begin on June 8, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment.