Assistant or Associate Professor of Industrial DesignWork type: TT Faculty
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: College of Science & Engineering
Position Title Assistant or Associate Professor of Industrial Design
About the College The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) consists of eight academic departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering and Design, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. In addition to the academic departments, the college is home to Western's Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (SMATE) program. Western has extensively invested in new facilities, instructional innovation, and the recruitment of world-class faculty for the sciences in recent years. Thus, students in the college are engaged in high-quality classroom, laboratory, and hands-on research experiences that foster deep foundational disciplinary knowledge as well as the tools to engage in the creation of new scientific knowledge.
The overall mission of CSE is to promote lifelong learning through state-of-the-art programs that emphasize experiential learning and scholarship, to produce globally impactful discoveries, innovation, and student-engaged research, to provide equitable and inclusive pathways in STEM for students to achieve their career goals in the State of Washington and beyond, and to engage with the broader community by building and sustaining strong regional academic, industrial, and other community partnerships.
About the Department The Industrial Design program, as one of the four programs within the Engineering and Design Department, is a NASAD accredited undergraduate degree. As stated in the Department's Mission, the programs in the Engineering and Design Department have a strong commitment to teaching and scholarship that develops industry-ready graduates through a combination of creative problem-solving, skills development, and experiential learning. Programs are all very hands-on, with students involved across the curricula with experiential and student-centered teaching and learning at the heart of the teaching enterprise. Nearly all courses have a significant laboratory component to prepare students with the modern tools and processes used in industry.
About the Position Western Washington University (WWU) invites applications from candidates for a full-time, tenure-track, faculty position in Industrial Design (ID). The successful candidate is expected to start on September 16, 2027. We seek individuals with teaching and research interests in any field relevant to industrial design or product design.
The position requires a strong commitment to teaching and scholarship that supports the Department's Mission. Teaching responsibilities will include service courses for industrial design, as well as advanced studio courses. Scholarship responsibilities will include developing and maintaining a relevant scholarship program that involves undergraduate researchers and partnerships with industry. It is expected that the person fulfills working, teaching, and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive environments for all students, faculty, and staff. This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of the leadership of the program, which will include the development of curriculum, research areas, and laboratory facilities.
Required Responsibilities
Provide leadership and administration for the Industrial Design Program, including strategic planning, program assessment, budgeting, scheduling, and resource management.
Teach undergraduate courses in industrial design including skill development, software, design studios, and design research.
Maintain an active agenda of scholarship and creative activity consistent with university expectations.
Lead curriculum development and continuous improvement efforts to ensure program quality, relevance, accreditation, and alignment with institutional goals and emerging trends in design.
Recruit, mentor, advise, and support students throughout their academic and professional development.
Facilitate collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and university administrators to advance program goals and foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Manage program operations, including faculty workload planning, course scheduling, facilities oversight, equipment planning, and assessment activities.
Build and maintain partnerships with industry, alumni, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to enhance experiential learning opportunities and program visibility.
Represent the Industrial Design Program within the university and externally through recruitment activities, outreach, professional engagement, exhibitions, and public events.
Support faculty development, recruitment, evaluation, and other personnel-related processes in accordance with university policies.
Advance the program's reputation through innovation in teaching, scholarship, professional engagement, and student success.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or ABD (at time of application) in Industrial Design or a closely related field (if ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment, e.g., June 15, 2028)
- MFA, MDes, or equivalent terminal degree in Industrial Design or a closely related field by the date of appointment
- Record of professional practice, scholarship, creative activity, or other contributions appropriate to the field of industrial design.
- Evidence of successful teaching and student mentorship in higher education.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and student success.
- Experience leading projects, teams, programs, or other organizational initiatives requiring collaboration, communication, and management skills.
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and external stakeholders.
- For appointment at the Associate Professor level (tenure track), demonstrated significant research, evidence of successful teaching, and evidence of contributions through service activities commensurate with standards for promotion to Associate Professor in the Department, College, and University.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in academic leadership roles such as program director, department chair, curriculum coordinator, or other administrative positions within higher education.
- Demonstrated success in curriculum development, strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and continuous program improvement.
- Established record of scholarly, creative, or professional achievement in industrial design or related fields.
- Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with industry, community organizations, professional associations, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, facilities, personnel, and other operational aspects of an academic program.
- Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, securing external funding, and enhancing program visibility through outreach, recruitment, exhibitions, research, or professional engagement.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary
The anticipated starting salary range for assistant professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $93,000-$96,000. The entire salary range for the assistant professor position is $93,000-$111,000. The anticipated starting salary range for associate professor appointment, tenure-track is generally between $106,000-$109,000. The entire salary range for the associate professor position is $106,000-$126,000. Placement within the position's salary range is based on qualifications and professional experience.
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the entire salary ranges provided above reflect the anticipated full salary range in the position at the given rank, with the upper end of the salary range typically being achieved through collectively bargained salary adjustments. Progression in ranks occurs as outlined in the University's tenure and promotion process, per the collective bargaining agreement.
Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines and dependent on available budget. Salary and Start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.
Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Faculty Positions
Bargaining Unit
United Faculty of Western Washington
Application Instructions
All applications must include the following seven items. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Application Letter - A statement that addresses how you meet the required and preferred qualifications for the position, your ability and commitment to fulfill the position responsibilities, and your available starting date.
- Teaching Statement - A statement of your teaching experience, interests, and plans for teaching core and advanced courses, and any experience teaching or coordinating undergraduate student projects, particularly any that were industry sponsored. Include a summary of teaching evaluations, if applicable.
- Research Statement - A statement of your research experience and interests. Include any research experience that involved undergraduate students and/or collaboration with industry.
- Service, Engagement, & Student Success Statement - A statement describing past experiences and approaches to service and engagement within the department, university, profession, or community that support student success and promote access, equity, and inclusion in your discipline or institution.
- Portfolio - Visual evidence of recent and relevant professional design and creative works.
- References - The names and contact information of at least three professional references. Please do not send letters of recommendation; references will only be contacted directly for semi-finalists.
Closing Date Notes
Review of applications will begin November 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
