About the Role

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications and nominations for the position of William E. Walker III Endowed Department Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary and motivated leader to shape the future of a thriving department within a Carnegie R1 designated university renowned for its strong engineering focus.

Missouri S&T is nationally recognized as one of the Top 50 public engineering schools and the No. 2 public university in the nation for "Best Salaries." Guided by an ambitious vision—to be the nation's leading public technological research university for discovery, creativity, and innovation—Missouri S&T continues to expand its reach and reputation.

The MAE Department is advancing national recognition as a premier program in mechanical and aerospace engineering education, innovation, research, and scholarship. The department played a pivotal role in the university's recent achievement of its North Star Goal: R1 Carnegie Classification. Department faculty are also deeply engaged in the launch of the Missouri Protoplex, strengthening long-standing collaborations with industry partners and creating new opportunities for applied research and innovation.

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Details & Application

Questions: For questions prior to submitting an application, please contact the search committee co-chairs, Dr. Jonathan Kimball at kimballjw@mst.edu and Dr. Douglas Bristow at dbristow@mst.edu. 

Interested candidates should electronically submit:

  • a detailed cover letter
  • a curriculum vitae
  • a perspective statement — your views on current and emerging opportunities and challenges in mechanical and aerospace engineering research and education
  • a research statement
  • current contact information for at least four professional references

Application Deadline: For full consideration, apply by November 16, 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The position will remain open until filled.

Apply now

Overview

The MAE department is the largest and fastest growing department on campus. Situated in a state-of-the-art 145,000 ft² facility, the MAE Department is home to 28 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 9 teaching faculty, 10 staff, 160 graduate students (including 83 PhD students), nearly 1,700 undergraduate students, and over 12,000 living alumni.

The MAE Departmental external research expenditures for the last academic year were $14.8 M with broad support across federal and industrial sponsors. Building on its strong research base, the department is poised to expand its international visibility through large-scale, interdisciplinary collaborations in areas such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace systems, energy, robotics, and biomedical applications. With a growing portfolio of federal and industry partnerships, MAE is committed to increasing its global impact and shaping the future of mechanical and aerospace engineering research.

Distinguished Faculty Leadership

MAE faculty include AIAA, ASME, and National Academy of Inventors Fellows, NSF CAREER Award recipients, and national honorees recognized for research, teaching, and mentorship excellence.

Championship Student Design Teams

In addition to the International Championship Mars Rover Team, MAE students dominate other award-winning student design teams, including Formula SAE, Miner Aviation, Rocket Team, Multirotor Robot, Human Powered Vehicle, and Combat Robotics. Additionally, the Missouri S&T Satellite Team (M-SAT) recently put a satellite into space.

Cutting-Edge Research

With $14.8 M in new external research awards during the most recent academic year, faculty lead internationally recognized work in advanced manufacturing, aerospace systems, biomedical, control systems and machine learning, energy, materials, micro/nano systems, robotics, and structures. The department anticipates expansion of faculty lines to support continued growth.

A Leader in Industry Partnership

MAE faculty are leading the launch of the Missouri Protoplex, a 120,000 sq. ft. building for industry-university collaboration in advanced manufacturing. The facility will host on-site offices for industry and 40,000 sq. ft. of high bay space for shared manufacturing equipment including additive manufacturing, robotics, high-temperature ceramics, and the future foundry. Major launch partners include Boeing, Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, DMG Mori and Solvus Global.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

MAE doctoral and faculty researchers are advancing patentable technologies and start-up ventures, supported through Kummer Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellowships and national recognition for translational research.

Strong Alumni Engagement

With over 12,000 living alumni, the department maintains a close relationship with its alumni through its Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers, an organization of almost 250 distinguished alumni. The academy provides continued value to the department through its core missions of consultancy, ambassadorship, and sponsorship, including through its 2025 initiative, "Future-Ready Labs."

Undergraduate Research and Mentorship

The department's Future Research Pioneers Program and Dean's Undergraduate Research Scholars initiative prepare students for graduate research and industry leadership through hands-on discovery.

Required Qualifications

  • Earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Internationally recognized record of scholarly achievement.
  • Credentials appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor.
  • Demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Leadership Qualifications

  • Proven record of visionary leadership grounded in shared governance.
  • Commitment to serving as an advocate for the department and guiding it toward continued excellence in scholarship and innovation.
    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, corporate partners, and alumni.
    • Demonstrated success in promoting and securing sponsored research.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in faculty mentoring and professional development.

University Information

Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery.

Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.

Kummer College

Established in 2022, the Kummer College serves as a pathbreaking model for social impact, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration within a future-oriented STEM-focused university. Supported by the Kummer Institute Foundation at Missouri S&T, this unique college integrates key academic, co-curricular, and administrative activities related to technology commercialization, business innovation and entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and economic development. Within The Kummer College lives several departments: Department of Business and Information Technology (BIT), Department of Economics, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (EMSE), Kummer Student Programs. 

College of Engineering and Computing (CEC)

Missouri S&T's College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master's and doctoral equivalents. Programs are organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both started in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.

College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE)

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) is a catalyst of innovation, creativity, and discovery, where students and faculty work side-by-side to create and share knowledge and understanding.

From arts and humanities to the natural and social sciences, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education has a program for everyone. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education is made up of eleven units including Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Arts, Languages and Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, English and Technical Communication, History and Political Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Psychological Science, and Education. The college is home to over 90 tenured/tenure-track and 44 non-tenure-track faculty members. CASE offers more than 85 different academic options including certificates, minors, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Living in Rolla

Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university's Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.