Job description

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) in the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a non-tenure-track, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice position in Manufacturing Engineering with expertise in areas such as advanced and smart manufacturing, manufacturing automation and control, digital twins, robotics, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), metrology and GD&T, CNC machining, etc. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026, or earlier.

UTK is Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, a Carnegie R1 institution, and a leader in engineering education, research, and workforce development. The AppE Department emphasizes practice-based engineering education, strong industry engagement, and experiential learning aligned with ABET-EAC expectations.

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach undergraduate manufacturing engineering courses, including but not limited to:
  • Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
  • Advanced and smart manufacturing
  • Manufacturing automation and control
  • Digital twins
  • Robotics
  • Metrology and GD&T
  • CNC Machining, and
  • WaterJet/LaserJet technologies
• Develop and deliver hands-on laboratory experiences and project-based learning modules aligned with industry practices.
• Supervise senior design (capstone) projects, including projects sponsored by industry partners.
• Contribute to the development and operation of manufacturing laboratories, including advanced and smart manufacturing, manufacturing automation and control, digital twins, robotics, metrology, CNC machining, and waterJet/laserJet technology-related instructional facilities.
• Engage in industry collaboration, applied research, workforce development, and external partnerships consistent with the mission of a Professor of Practice.
• Participate in service activities at the department, college, and university levels, including curriculum development, ABET accreditation support, and student mentoring.
• Support the growth and continuous improvement of the Manufacturing concentration within the Department of Applied Engineering.

About the Department and College

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success, including adding over 30 new faculty to the college over 4 years as part of ambitious hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank in the past three years. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF).

TCE currently has 203 tenure/tenure track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 MS, and 15 PhD/DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DOE, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had annual research expenditures of $113.6M.

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) is a newly launched department within TCE, offering practice-focused engineering programs that integrate theory, design, testing, and industry engagement. The Aerospace concentration emphasizes structural integrity, advanced materials, experimental validation, and real-world engineering systems.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution by the start date; exceptional candidates with a master’s degree and significant industry experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in various manufacturing processes.
• Commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching and hands-on, practice-oriented education.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant industry experience in manufacturing or related sectors.
• Professional licensure (PE) or progress toward licensure.
• Experience developing or managing instructional laboratories.
• Experience with industry-sponsored projects, applied research, or workforce development initiatives.
• Familiarity with ABET-EAC accreditation and continuous improvement processes.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in design, manufacturing, testing, or research settings.

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following materials through Interfolio, https://apply.interfolio.com/:184043

1. Cover letter describing interest in the position and relevant qualifications
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of teaching philosophy and experience
4. Statement describing industry engagement, applied research, or professional practice experience
5. Names and contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position should be directed to AppE Department Head, Dr. Chulho Yang, email: [email protected].

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.