Job Details

Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Position Number: 6578703
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Position Type: Deans - Engineering

Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Job ID: 290375
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

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 2024-2025. For more information, visit https://www.kennesaw.edu/.

Location

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.

Department Information

The Mechanical Engineering program is the largest in the college and ranks among the largest in the nation. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with thriving minors in Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering. Distinguished faculty, dedicated to student success, lead groundbreaking research and foster an environment where students engage in hands-on, project-based learning. This approach nurtures creativity and prepares students for a multitude of 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 graduate equipped to tackle tomorrow's engineering challenges.

Key Highlights:

Hands-On Learning: Students engage in project-based learning throughout the curriculum, from exciting initiatives like pumpkin launches to comprehensive senior design projects, fostering creativity and practical skills.
Job-Ready Curriculum: With a strong focus on professional development and state-of-the-art laboratories, the curriculum ensures graduates are ready to tackle real-world engineering problems from day one.
Varied Career Paths: With a broad ABET-accredited curriculum offering numerous job prospects, students are well-equipped for the engineering workforce. Additionally, thriving minors in Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering provide further specialization and career opportunities.
Dedicated Faculty: The faculty comprises industry experts and recognized researchers in contemporary fields such as self-assembled materials, bioengineering technology, soft robotics, and green energy. They are deeply committed to student success and dedicated to mentoring the next generation of engineers.
Engaged Student Community: The vibrant student community offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Students excel in national competition teams, participate actively in professional societies, and gain valuable networking experiences through student chapters of professional organizations and industry internships. The community fosters student engagement with active research initiatives by allowing them to partner with faculty on contemporary topics.

Job Summary

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

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 and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University is required at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated record of strong teamwork, ethical behavior, and collaboration with faculty, administrators, staff, and students.
An ability to successfully develop and implement a strategic vision.
Evidence of a successful scholarship program and history of grant support as PI or Co-PI for agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOD, DOE, NASA, etc.
Administration and leadership experience in an academic setting.
Evidence of mentoring junior faculty.
Industry experience and/or Professional Engineering licensure.
Record of shared governance and of advocating for students, faculty, staff.
Experience with graduate program development and recruitment.
Record of involvement in professional organizations at the state, regional, and national/international level.
Experience with program assessment and accreditation.

Required Documents to Attach

CV
Cover Letter
Statement of Research/Scholarship Interests
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Statement of Leadership Philosophy
Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts and Official International Course-by-Course Evaluations Due Upon Hire)
Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 5 references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply Before Date

Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, please apply by January 9, 2026.

Contact Information

For questions about this faculty opening, please contact Sohyung Cho, scho28@kennesaw.edu, 470-578-7243.

For technical support or assistance completing a job application, please contact the Shared Services Center at (877) 251-2644 or support@usg.edu.

For questions about a specific job posting at Kennesaw State University, please contact the search chair listed under the contact information section on each posting. For general questions about faculty jobs please email facultyjobs@kennesaw.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Background Check

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, preemployment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials. https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=43000&JobOpeningId=290375&PostingSeq=1