Specialist - Teacher-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University invites applications for a part-time (67%) fixed-term faculty position to lead the senior-level Capstone Design course. This renewable appointment is contingent on teaching needs, funding availability, mutual agreement, and performance. The position’s primary responsibilities include teaching and outreach, with a focus on delivering high-impact experiential learning through the Capstone program.

Capstone Design has been a cornerstone of the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at MSU for over 30 years. The one-semester (15-week) course immerses students in team-based, real-world design challenges sponsored by industry, nonprofits, and community partners. Students are placed in teams of 4–5, guided by a faculty mentor, and assessed on project deliverables culminating in Design Day—a college-wide showcase featuring student presentations and exhibits.

Responsibilities

• Solicit ~60 funded projects annually from industrial, humanitarian, and local sources
• Manage the senior Capstone Design course, including curriculum delivery, team assignments, and project oversight
• Deliver and coordinate a weekly 1-hour lecture covering design-related topics (e.g., design process, project management, systems engineering, safety, intellectual property, green engineering, ethics)
• Coordinate Design Day activities and Capstone Design projects in collaboration with other College of Engineering departments
• Support faculty mentors in assessing student performance and ensuring project checkpoints are met
• Serve as the primary liaison between students, faculty mentors, and project sponsors
• Champion new Capstone initiatives; a one-year startup budget is available to support these efforts

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Mechanical Engineering or closely related

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field
• Ability to effectively communicate with students in an academic setting
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty and liaise with project sponsors

Desired Qualifications

• Several years of relevant engineering industry experience, particularly in design, project management, and/or testing
• Experience creating or leading new initiatives that integrate entrepreneurial/startup culture, broaden project opportunities, or leverage AI in engineering education
• Strong project solicitation and industry engagement experience

Required Application Materials

CV, cover letter, 3 references. 

Review of Applications Begins On

11/01/2025

Website

https://engineering.msu.edu/about/departments/me

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.