Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its
educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking
Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of
Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized
nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years
in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive
success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on
innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and
alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working
environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain
productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and
external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic,
societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
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
- One of the following:
- 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 [contact details available in the full listing] 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.
Western Washington University
(WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity,
color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide
dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by
federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU's Policies
on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be
directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126
(MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; [contact details available in the full listing] (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); [contact details available in the full listing]
WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified
individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact
Human Resources Disability Services, [contact details available in the full listing] or 711 (Washington
Relay).
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security
Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported
crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property
within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus
security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.
You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at
[contact details available in the full listing]. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment
eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check
will be conducted on all new hires and rehires, which includes a sexual
misconduct background check.
