Robotics & Mechanical Engineering

Open Rank - Robotics & Mechanical Engineering - #240982 Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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

• 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

For questions or additional information please contact Chip Ferguson .

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,” “Degree Conferred,” or a similar phrase. 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 include a notation such as “Degree Awarded” or “Degree Conferred” to verify it as your highest completed degree.

School of Engineering & Technology

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 – Ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list.
• 2023 – Ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees are provided a comprehensive benefits package, including dental, vision, and health insurance plans; retirement plan contributions; optional disability plans; tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; free group exercise classes; discounted campus recreation memberships; free vaccine and booster shots; pre‑tax flexible spending accounts; 12 paid holidays; 24 hours of paid community service leave; paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service;

and more.

We are seeking faculty candidates in mechanical engineering or a related discipline with expertise in robotics. 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 robotics and related topics, with a start date anticipated in August 2026. Successful candidates will be committed to teaching, scholarship, and professional service, and will conduct applied research that engages students, especially undergraduates.

• A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in an engineering discipline closely related to robotics, such as mechanical engineering, 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

Number of Months Per Year: 9

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

• 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

For questions or additional information please contact Chip Ferguson .

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 employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your…