Assistant​/Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering, Machine Design

Assistant/Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering, Machine Design – #150797

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following:

• Letter of application
• Current CV
• Teaching statement
• List of three professional references with complete contact information
• Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s level and higher*

* All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state “Degree Awarded” or “Degree Conferred” or similar. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree.

The master’s degree transcript must contain a notation such as “Degree Awarded” or “Degree Conferred” to verify it as your highest completed degree.

For questions or additional information please contact Wes Stone .

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes “Best Employers” lists each year. Current rankings include:

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes “America’s Best Employers by State.”
• 2024 – Ranked in the top 8.5% on Forbes “America’s Best Midsize Employers,” positioned 34 out of the top 400.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes “America’s Best Midsize Employers,” 97 out of the top 500.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes “America’s Best Employers by State.”

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and is consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including dental, vision, health insurance, retirement plan contributions, disability plans, tuition waivers, group exercise classes, discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Leave earning employees (staff and 12‑month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

WCU is seeking faculty candidates in mechanical engineering or a related discipline with expertise in Machine Design. The primary location of this position is the main campus in Cullowhee, NC. This opening is a nine‑month, tenure/tenure‑track position focused on Machine Design and related topics. Rank will be determined at the point of hire. The anticipated start date is August 2026.

Successful candidates will be committed to teaching, scholarship, and professional service. Applied research that engages students, especially undergraduate students, is a hallmark of our program.

WCU’s Engineering and Engineering Technology programs are accredited by ABET’s EAC and ETAC, respectively. Applicants will be expected to support the University’s external engagement mission and the Quality Enhancement Program.

• A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline, prior to the starting date of August 1, 2026.

• Three years of relevant industry experience.
• Professional engineering licensure and registration.
• Research experience, funded grants, refereed publications, and undergraduate and graduate student supervision.

Permanent, Full-time.

Open Date: 01/09/2026. Close Date:
Open Until Filled.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex‑offender background checks; some vacancies also require credit or motor‑vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E‑Verify to confirm…