Instructor I

Instructor I

Job no: 509109

Position type: Full-Time 9-Month

Department: 061700 - Mechanical Engineering

Location: Main Campus - Starkville, MS

Categories: Faculty

Position Open Date: Sep 19 2025


Position Function:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University invites applications for one non-tenure track, nine-month faculty position, under the administrative supervision of the head of the department. An Instructor in ME is an engineer and a scholar with a strong interest in teaching, supervising undergraduate students, and providing service to the department. The successful candidate will be expected to make significant contributions to the department's teaching and service responsibilities.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University invites applications for one non-tenure track, nine-month faculty position, under the administrative supervision of the head of the department. An Instructor in ME is an engineer and a scholar with a strong interest in teaching, supervising undergraduate students, and providing service to the department. The successful candidate will be expected to make significant contributions to the department's teaching and service responsibilities.
The following are representative examples of duties assigned to this position. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and additional related duties may be assigned as needed to meet the goals of the department.
1. Teach a variety of undergraduate courses and laboratory sections in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on foundational and applied topics.
2. Deliver hands-on instruction and facilitate experiential learning activities that reinforce core engineering concepts and industry-relevant practices.
3. Develop, implement, and continuously improve laboratory exercises and instructional content to ensure alignment with current engineering standards and workforce needs.
4. Supervise and maintain instructional laboratory spaces, including the ME Undergraduate Labs and the IDEELab, ensuring safety protocols, equipment functionality, and instructional readiness.
5. Advise and mentor undergraduate student teams involved in design competitions and student organizations (e.g., FSAE, Baja SAE, ASME).
6. Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committees, recruitment, and outreach events, as requested.
7. Contribute to the department's accreditation and assessment efforts by supporting instructional documentation and participation in continuous improvement processes.
8. Collaborate with faculty and industry partners to support workforce development initiatives, technical training programs, and outreach efforts, including MSU Bagley College of Engineering's Gulf Coast ME program.
9. Participate in required scholarly or instructional development activities aligned with the teaching mission and accreditation standards of the College.
10. Engage in other related duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the department's instructional and strategic objectives.
11. Light travel may be required in support of external instructional initiatives (e.g., MSU BCOE Gulf Coast Campus activities).

Salary Grade : UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University is an R1 institution with very high research activity. The Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering is one of eight academic departments in the Bagley College of Engineering. The Mechanical Engineering School's faculty research expenditure is approximately $15.2M annually for 20 tenure/tenure-track faculty. The Mechanical Engineering School offers an ABET-accredited undergraduate program in mechanical engineering, as well as graduate studies leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Mechanical Engineering School has over 1,100 undergraduate and 110 graduate students and has the largest student enrollment within the Bagley College of Engineering and 2nd/3rd largest within Mississippi State University.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2026

Tenure Track Status:

Non-Tenure Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Teach undergraduate courses and laboratory sections in mechanical engineering, focusing on foundational topics such as statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials, and introductory design.
• Develop and deliver engaging, hands-on instructional content that emphasizes core engineering principles, problem-solving, and professional practice.
• Supervise and maintain undergraduate laboratory spaces, including ensuring equipment functionality, safety compliance, and instructional readiness in collaboration with departmental staff.
• Advise and mentor student design teams and organizations, such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, and other experiential learning or competition-based activities.
• Participate in course and curriculum development, including updates to lab manuals, instructional materials, and assessment tools aligned with ABET accreditation criteria.
• Contribute to departmental service activities, including participation in committees, recruitment, and outreach events, and academic advising as needed.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to enhance student success through coordinated instruction, student support initiatives, and continuous improvement of teaching strategies.
• Support workforce development initiatives in partnership with university, industry, or external stakeholders, such as MSU's Gulf Coast engineering programs or IDEELab technical training offerings.
• Engage in instructional professional development to remain current with best practices in engineering education, lab safety, and student engagement strategies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the academic mission of the department and the Bagley College of Engineering.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Masters' in Mechanical Engineering, or related area OR its equivalent in professional achievement.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written technical communication.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working in a teaching laboratory or instructional support role in a higher education setting.
• Industry certifications such as Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP), OSHA 10/30, CNC machining, or additive manufacturing credentials.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with mechanical systems, prototyping, fabrication, or manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with industrial controls, instrumentation, and digital manufacturing technologies (e.g., IoT-enabled systems, CNC, PLCs).
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, with working knowledge of CAM tools such as MasterCAM, Fusion 360, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing principles, including Standard Work and 5S methodologies.
• Exposure to workforce readiness initiatives, experiential education models, or university-industry partnership programs.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple instructional responsibilities and student support tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Willingness and aptitude to learn and work with a broad range of manufacturing, testing, and instructional technologies and software platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles (e.g., statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials, design).
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation standards and curriculum development.
• Understanding of lab safety standards, equipment maintenance, and instructional lab management.
• Awareness of professional engineering practices and educational trends.
Course and lab instruction, including hands-on and experiential teaching methods.
• Curriculum and lab manual development.
• Mentorship and advising for student teams and organizations.
• Collaboration and teamwork with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Effective communication and student engagement strategies.
• Participation in academic service activities and student support initiatives.
• Teach and manage undergraduate mechanical engineering courses and labs.
• Engage and motivate students through innovative instructional techniques.
• Guide and support student projects and competition teams.
• Maintain safe and functional lab environments.
• Adapt and improve teaching practices through professional development.
• Contribute to workforce development and outreach efforts.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.

Instructions for Applying:

Applicants must apply online at by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, and names with complete contact information for at least three professional references. Any social numbers included on requested documents should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, View phone number on click.appcast.io.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.

Advertised: Sep 19 2025 Central Daylight Time

Applications close:


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