Chair Department of Mechanical Engineering

Job Title:

Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Location:

Marietta, Georgia

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Job

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia's largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to over 50,000 students.

Our high-impact research and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.

Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. As part of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State exemplifies the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. In addition, Kennesaw State supports the University of Georgia's core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision.

Kennesaw State is launching a new strategic plan in . For more information, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

With almost 2600 students, the Mechanical Engineering department at SPCEET is the largest in the college and ranks among the largest in the nation. It offers undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, an MS in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering. Distinguished faculty who are dedicated to student success lead groundbreaking research and foster an environment where students engage in hands-on and project-based learning.

This approach nurtures creativity and prepares students for diverse job opportunities. Active in national competitions and professional engineering societies, students benefit from extensive undergraduate research, a job-ready curriculum, and state-of-the-art laboratories, ensuring they are equipped to tackle tomorrow's engineering challenges.

Kennesaw State University is now accepting applications for an administrative faculty position as a tenured Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering with a preferred start date of July 1, 2026. This is a twelve-month contracted position. This position is for work to be performed in the state of Georgia.

Reporting directly to the Dean of the College, the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering will guide this large and growing department in advancing its strategic priorities, including faculty development, research growth, industry engagement and student success. As a key member of the college's leadership team, the Chair will serve as an advocate for the department within the university and with external partners, while also ensuring excellence in academic programs and operations.

This position offers a unique opportunity to guide a large and dynamic department with strengths in both teaching and research. The ideal candidate is a visionary and collaborative leader with a distinguished teaching and research record, demonstrated administrative experience, and a commitment to excellence.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Shape and guide the direction of the Department as a key part of the College administrative leadership team.
• Oversee departmental academic programs (undergraduate and graduate), curriculum development, and accreditation efforts.
• Promote and support high-impact research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Manage departmental resources, budgeting, and personnel matters.
• Lead faculty recruitment, retention, mentoring, and development.
• Strengthen relationships with industry partners, alumni, and funding agencies.
• Represent the department within the college, university, and broader academic and professional communities.
• Foster an environment of shared governance and transparency.
• Lead faculty development and evaluation.

Teaching assignments will be based on earned degrees and SACSCOC Faculty Credentials Guidelines.

A terminal degree, or the foreign equivalent, in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with an academic background and appropriate credentials to be a tenured full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering…