Professor of Practice | Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

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Worcester Until 9/19/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted July 21, 2026 Last posted July 21, 2026
Job description

JOB TITLE

Professor of Practice | Mechanical and Materials Engineering

LOCATION

Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME

Mechanical & Materials Engineering

DIVISION NAME

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks applicants for a full-time teaching faculty position in the area of design as professor of practice. The successful candidate will possess a strong background in engineering design including product development, prototyping and fabrication, and/or design theory and methodology.

A commitment to innovative, evidence based teaching is highly desired. The candidate will be expected to contribute to WPI’s project based curriculum by developing and teaching design focused courses at all undergraduate levels, mentoring student project teams, and integrating hands on, experiential learning into the classroom. The ability to collaborate across disciplines and engage students in authentic, open ended problem solving is essential. Candidates should show evidence of effective teaching, related industry experience, or design-focused scholarship.

Candidate is required to have a PhD or equivalent degree in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline or commensurate engineering design experience.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at WPI (https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/mechanical-materials-engineering) has 26 dual-mission faculty, 8 full-time teaching faculty, and 14 research faculty.  MME offers undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering to over 1100 students. The department offers graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, and manufacturing engineering to about 200 graduate students. The department’s annual externally sponsored research expenditures have exceeded $19.7M.

WPI’s reputation as a rigorous and innovative university rests on the shoulders of its faculty. A highly selective, private technological university and one of the nation’s first, WPI believes that when great minds work together, great advances follow. At WPI the boundaries to multidisciplinary collaboration are low—faculty members, students, and other partners work together on the real-world projects and purposeful research that are hallmarks of the WPI experience. Located one hour west of Boston, the university’s campus is in Worcester, Massachusetts, a thriving 21st century college city recognized as a growing hub of scientific and technological innovation.

Applications should include curriculum vitae, statements of teaching and research interests, and a list of five professional references. This search will remain open until the position is filled. Questions can be addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, swodinschwartz@wpi.edu.

Salary: $100,000 - $110,000 per year.  Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity.  WPI’s benefits package includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!

FLSA STATUS

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.

About this role

Summary

Teach engineering design, mentor students, develop experiential courses, collaborate across disciplines.

Job title

Professor of Practice | Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Experience level

null

Industry

education

Location requirements

Worcester, no remote work allowed

Salary

$100k–$110k

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

PhD in mechanical engineering or relevant disciplineengineering designproduct developmentprototypingfabrication

Preferred skills

industry experienceevidence based teachinginterdisciplinary collaboration

Specializations

designproduct developmentprototypingfabricationdesign theory
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Worcester, MA, USA

On-site City