Department Head

About the role

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a full-time Department Head position starting July 1, 2026. The successful candidate will lead the department in achieving the college and university’s vision and mission.

Responsibilities

• Promote an ambitious vision and mission for the department consistent with the vision and mission of the College and University.
• Mentor the department's faculty members in their teaching, research, and service activities.
• Oversee curriculum development and delivery, assess educational outcomes, and accreditation.
• Monitor the administrative, financial, and space management components of the department.
• Raise extramural funds in support of the department's teaching, research, and service activities, and promote the development of research centers.
• Engage productively with academic, industrial, and government partners to advance an ambitious and impactful research and training programs.
• Enhance recognition of the department on national and international stages.
• Lead new faculty recruitment efforts and facilitate processes related to recruitment, promotion, and tenure.
• Actively participate in assigned college, university, and external duties.
• Serve as a catalyst for attracting and supporting undergraduate and graduate students.
• Participate in interdisciplinary efforts with other departments and initiatives at USU.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated achievements appropriate for appointment at the Full Professor level.
• A strong background in engineering fundamentals.
• Evidence of success as a Principal Investigator or leader of an independent research program.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals or other measures of research outcomes.
• Ability to engage industry partners and connect curriculum to the practice of engineering in the field.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability to teach, inspire, and mentor faculty and students.
• Ability to obtain a United States DoD Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active United States DoD or DoE Security Clearance.
• Positive experience in research with demonstrated success in program development and leadership.
• Extensive experience in higher education and a commitment to the education mission of the college.
• Demonstrated ability to engage productively with external research, training, and service partners.
• Experience working on multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience in developing high-impact experiential learning curricula.
• Record of involvement in seeking extramural funding.
• Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam or earned a Professional Engineering license.

Job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”.
• Cover Letter describing your qualifications for the position and our vision of the role to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”.
• Contact information for 3 professional references to be added to your Candidate Profile.

Advertised Salary Commensurate With Experience, Plus Excellent Benefits

ADA Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.