Program Director, Mechanical Engineering

DEFINITION:

The Program Director for Mechanical Engineering Technology provides academic leadership, instructional excellence, and administrative oversight for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. This position is responsible for directing program operations, curriculum development, faculty supervision, and industry alignment while delivering high-quality classroom and laboratory instruction.

This is a full-time faculty position with direct teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities. The normal faculty workload includes a minimum of 18 contact teaching hours per week and a minimum on-campus presence of 30 hours per week.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Receives supervision from the Advanced Manufacturing Department chair
• Is responsible for program oversight.
• Exercises direct supervision over faculty and professional staff.

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS STATEMENTS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Program Leadership and Administration

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, including course scheduling, curriculum planning, and program assessment.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of program goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in alignment with departmental and college strategic plans.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable accreditation standards, state policies, and college requirements related to instructional quality, curriculum, and student outcomes.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, instructional delivery methods, enrollment trends, and resource utilization; identify opportunities for improvement and collaborate with the department chair on recommended actions.

Instruction and Curriculum

• Teach a minimum of 18 contact hours per week in classroom and laboratory settings using current technologies, industry-standard equipment, and effective instructional practices.
• Develop, revise, and deliver curriculum that reflects current industry standards, workforce needs, and advances in mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing.
• Prepare instructional materials, assessments, and evaluations; maintain accurate records of student attendance, performance, and learning outcomes.

Faculty Leadership and Management

• Participate in the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and evaluation of full-time and adjunct faculty within the program.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and professional teaching environment that supports instructional excellence and faculty development.
• Provide technical guidance and instructional leadership to ensure consistency, quality, and relevance across program courses.

Other Important Functions:

Industry Engagement and Workforce Alignment

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local and regional industry, with particular emphasis on advanced manufacturing sectors in North Carolina.
• Lead and sustain an active program advisory committee to ensure ongoing industry input into curriculum, equipment, and workforce skills alignment.
• Ensure the program is responsive to employer needs and emerging trends in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automation, and industrial systems.

Student Recruitment, Retention, and Support

• Coordinate program-level efforts to recruit, retain, and support students, including participation in outreach, marketing, and community relations activities.
• Collaborate with student services on admissions, progression, advising, and graduation processes specific to the Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

Facilities, Equipment, and Safety

• Assess and plan material, supply, and equipment needs; submit and manage requests for instructional resources.
• Coordinate the selection, use, maintenance, and safe operation of laboratories, equipment, and instructional facilities assigned to the program.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and promote safe and appropriate work practices in all instructional environments.

Additional Duties

• Prepare required reports, documentation, and assessments as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and accreditation requirements related to higher education and technical programs.
• Principles and practices of academic program leadership, curriculum development, and instructional administration.
• Current trends, technologies, and workforce needs in mechanical engineering technology and advanced manufacturing.

Ability To:

• Interpret and apply college goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Analyze problems; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Effectively direct the provisions of the academic area to which assigned in support of the college programs.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Interpret and apply CFCC goals, objectives, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  1. Making observations
  2. Reading and writing
  3. Communicating with others
  4. Operating assigned equipment
  5. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:
  1. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  2. Operating assigned equipment
  3. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
  4. Bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds
• Maintain mental capacity, which allow the capability of:
  1. Making sound decisions
  2. Responding to questions
  3. Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

Minimum Education/Training:

• AAS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in Mechanical Engineering Technology or a closely related field.

Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university

• At least seven (7) years professional industrial experience in Mechatronics, Industrial Systems Technology, Electrical/Electronic Technology or a closely related field.

• Previous teaching experience

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.

• Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If highest level of education is High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.

• Candidates who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

• To claim veterans’ preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to Human Resources during the application process. Human Resources will verify eligibility.