The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks applications for a non-tenure track Professor of Practice faculty position (Assistant/Associate) with expertise in advanced manufacturing to support our continual growth in this area and to support the newly established VT MADE center for advanced manufacturing. The position will be effective August 2026.  We seek candidates that have a wide range of experience with additive and subtractive manufacturing processes, robotic systems and their use in advanced manufacturing, material characterization (X-ray CT, mechanical testing, microscopy, etc.), and other relevant processes (welding, forming, etc.). This individual will assist in the coordination of the advanced manufacturing activities within the VT MADE center and will be the lead for an advanced manufacturing experiential learning and research space in our new Mitchell Hall which is currently under construction on the Virginia Tech campus. This will include training and assisting graduate students with the operation of various equipment, mentoring undergraduate student teams, contributing to industry training workshops, supporting research efforts, and the possibility of classroom instruction. We seek candidates motivated to contribute to a collegial, interdisciplinary Mechanical Engineering Department with a strong tradition of fundamental and applied research. 

The Mechanical Engineering Department currently has 74 faculty members and is home to over 1,400 undergraduate and 300 graduate students. Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to serving in the spirit of community and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.  In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges report, the College of Engineering’s undergraduate program ranks 13th and the graduate program ranks 31st among all U.S. engineering schools while the Mechanical Engineering Department’s undergraduate program is ranked 13th and graduate program is ranked 22nd. The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.

The successful candidate will have a graduate degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field (a PhD is preferred but is not required), a proven experience in experimental advanced manufacturing, a strong record of academic and professional accomplishments, a proven ability to work collaboratively, prior experience leading interdisciplinary research projects in academia or industry, strong professional experience with industrial partners in the area of advanced manufacturing, a commitment to mentoring and advising student-led research, the ability to be an effective instructor in a variety of settings including laboratory focused group projects as well as classroom instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries while training the next generation of engineers.

Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 533971). Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. Applicants must also provide a research/scholarship statement and a statement of teaching/mentoring philosophy. Each of these two statements can be up to 3 pages in length. Review of applications will begin on October 3, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Chris Williams (cbwill@vt.edu, 540-231-3422) with cc: to Diana Israel, VT MADE Program Administrator (disrael@vt.edu, 540-231-6424).

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