Assistant Professor - Electrical Engineering

Assistant Professor - Electrical Engineering - #261096


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.

Please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of scholarship plans, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned, and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Andy Ritenour at View email address on click.appcast.io

Posting Details

Posting Information
Posting Number
FAC884P

Quick Link for Internal Postings

Classification Title
Assistant Professor

Working Title
Assistant Professor - Electrical Engineering - #261096

Department
School of Engineering & Technology

About WCU
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 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 of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a 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.

Position Summary


WCU is seeking faculty candidates in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline with expertise in one of multiple areas.

The primary location of this position is the main campus in Cullowhee, NC.

The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing!

The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our engineering and engineering technology programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study. Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves as having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience at our rural main-campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina, and at sites in Asheville and across western NC. The college's programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region, and are advancing the university to be one of the nation's premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond.

We are recruiting faculty for several positions in engineering at the assistant, associate, and full professor ranks to join us during this transformational time at WCU. Faculty routinely teach in multiple topical areas at undergraduate and graduate levels.

This opening is a nine-month tenure/tenure-track position focused in Electrical Engineering. Summer opportunities for research, teaching, and other professional endeavors may be available. Rank will be determined at the point of hire. The anticipated start date is August 2026. The successful candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Design, simulation, test, and validation of RF circuits and systems
• Semiconductor test, validation, and product engineering
• Smart cyber physical systems especially autonomous vehicles and/or connected manufacturing devices for Industry 4.0
• High-performance networking and computing for AI-driven systems
• Quantum computing applications

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. Successful candidates will be expected to support the University's external engagement mission. Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website to learn more about WCU.

Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Minimum Qualifications
A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, prior to the begin work date.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred candidates will have one or more of the following:

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

Position Type
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week
40

Number of Months Per Year
9

Posting Text
Open Date
01/21/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants
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 a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of scholarship plans, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned, and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Andy Ritenour at View email address on click.appcast.io

Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & 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 rights and responsibilities, please visit . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 View phone number on click.appcast.io) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 View phone number on click.appcast.io). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents



Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy
4. Other Document
5. Unofficial Transcripts
6. List of references

Optional Documents




Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).