Chair, Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering

Chair, Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

LeadExec is partnering with Oregon Institute of Technology in this national search. For inquiries, nominations, applications, and confidential conversations, please contact:
Lisa J. Marks, Founder & CEOLeyla Kayi, Senior Search Consultant413.335.6936 | [email protected]
This position is open until filled but only applications received by Thursday, December 10, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Applications should include a detailed letter of interest and a current curriculum vitae/resume.
LeadExec is a respected expert in retained executive search and organizational development. We identify and engage leaders who make an impact and transform organizations.

Equity & InclusionOregon Tech strongly recognizes and believes that a diverse and inclusive academic environment fosters mutual understanding, interpersonal and individual respect, cultural awareness, harmony, and creativity, while providing necessary role models for all students. Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive university requires that no person experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression or any other protected personal characteristic. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who actively demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Posting Details

Position Details

Position Type	Tenure Track
Working Title	Chair, Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering
Classification Title	Professor
College/Division	College of Engr, Tech & Mgmt (ETM)
Department	Electrical Eng & Renewable Energy
Hiring Unit
Work Location	Klamath Falls
Appointment FTE (%)	100%
Position Terms/Mo	9 Month
Full/Part time	Full Time
Annual Salary	Commensurate with Education & Experience/Qualifications

Position Summary

Department Summary	The Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy (EERE) Department combines rigorous engineering education with Oregon Tech’s distinctive emphasis on hands-on learning, applied research, and industry engagement. Oregon Tech pioneered the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in Renewable Energy Engineering and the first such program to earn ABET accreditation. Unlike institutions where renewable energy is offered primarily as a concentration or specialization within a traditional engineering degree, Oregon Tech offers dedicated undergraduate and graduate degrees in Renewable Energy Engineering. This comprehensive approach, integrating foundational electrical and mechanical engineering principles with specialized renewable energy technologies, distinguishes the department and prepares graduates to address evolving energy and technology needs. Serving students across the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses, EERE offers three undergraduate and two graduate degree programs. Its eight faculty members bring academic expertise and industry experience to instruction, student mentorship, and applied scholarship. An extensive network of specialized teaching laboratories supports experiential learning in electrical power, renewable energy, communications, embedded systems, electronics, and engineering design. Programs Offered: • B.S. in Electrical Engineering • B.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering • B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology • M.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering • M.S. in Engineering, including Electrical Engineering and Power Systems Engineering specializations • Concurrent B.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering Innovative and Impactful Initiatives: Specialized Teaching Laboratories: Extensive facilities accross both campuses support instruction and student projects in photovoltaics, microgrids, energy storage, fuel cells, power systems, and electronic prototyping. Industry-Supported Investment: Recent contributions include approximately $500,000 in Keysight equipment supporting instructional laboratories at both campuses and additional support for electric vehicle technologies. Applied Research and Scholarship: Faculty and students engage in renewable energy, advanced materials, and semiconductor-related research, supported by infustry collaborations and competitive external funding. Recent initiatives include federal awards totaling more than $2 million for advanced energy manufacturing and quantum-device research. Academic Innovation and Student Success: The department advances academic quality through curriculim development, ABET assessment, industry-sponsored capstone projects, and opportunities for student participation in applied research, with a continued focus on aligning programs with evolving industry and workforce needs. Additional departmental information may be found at: https://www.oit.edu/academics/engineering-technology-management/eere
Position Summary	Department Chair, Electrical Engineering & Renewable Energy Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech), the state’s only public polytechnic university, invites nominations and applications for the position of Department Chair, Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy (EERE) within the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management (ETM). This appointment offers an accomplished academic leader the opportunity to guide a distinctive engineering department, revitalize nationally pioneering academic programs, and shape the future of renewable energy and electrical engineering education at an institution known for hands-on learning and industry engagement. Oregon Tech has long distinguished itself through its commitment to applied education, technological innovation, and the preparation of graduates who are ready to contribute immediately to their professions. Few programs embody that mission more directly than Renewable Energy Engineering. Oregon Tech established the nation’s first bachelor’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and the first such program to earn ABET accreditation. Unlike institutions where renewable energy is primarily a specialization within traditional engineering disciplines, Oregon Tech offers dedicated undergraduate and graduate degrees focused on Renewable Energy Engineering, integrating electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals with advanced study of renewable energy technologies and systems. This distinctive academic approach helped establish the program’s reputation and historically attracted students from across the nation and around the world. That pioneering history provides a compelling foundation for the department’s future. At a time when energy generation, storage, electrification, grid modernization, and emerging technologies are reshaping industry and workforce needs, EERE has an opportunity to strengthen its position as a distinctive source of engineering talent, applied innovation, and industry collaboration. The next Chair will help translate that opportunity into renewed academic vitality, stronger enrollment, and sustained external engagement. The department serves students across Oregon Tech’s Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses, offering bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, and Electronics Engineering Technology, along with distinct graduate pathways. The Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineeringprovides advanced study across a broad range of renewable energy technologies and systems, while Oregon Tech’s Master of Science in Engineering, housed within EERE, offers multidisciplinary and specialized options, including Electrical Engineering and Power Systems Engineering. The Power Systems Engineering specialization, jointly offered with the Renewable Energy Engineering master’s program, illustrates the complementary relationship between these disciplines. Graduate education includes campus-based and online opportunities, along with accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways. Together, these programs prepare students for diverse careers in electrical power, renewable energy, electronics, manufacturing, semiconductor technologies, and related fields. A defining strength of EERE is its extensive network of specialized teaching laboratories and technical resources across both campuses. Students work with professional engineering instrumentation and equipment in electrical power and microgrid systems, photovoltaics, electrochemistry and energy storage, fuel cells, communications, embedded systems, and electronic design and fabrication. These facilities enable students to move beyond theoretical understanding to design, simulate, build, test, and refine working engineering systems. Through laboratory instruction, independent projects, and senior capstone experiences, students develop the technical judgment, problem-solving capabilities, and practical confidence central to Oregon Tech’s educational model. Past student projects have addressed real-world challenges ranging from solar-powered refrigeration and renewable energy solutions for remote communities to technologies that improve photovoltaic system maintenance and energy conservation. The department also benefits from a history of meaningful industry support and applied scholarship. Recent industry contributions and federally supported initiatives involving advanced energy manufacturing, quantum devices, laboratory modernization, and electric vehicle technologies demonstrate the depth of external interest in the department’s expertise and applied educational mission. Faculty scholarship spans renewable energy systems, advanced materials, semiconductor-related technologies, and emerging engineering applications. These activities provide a foundation for expanding collaborative research, engaging students in meaningful projects, and deepening relationships with industry and external partners. The opportunity ahead is both significant and immediate. While Oregon Tech’s Renewable Energy Engineering programs have historically attracted students nationally and internationally, enrollment has declined substantially in recent years, particularly in the Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (BSREE) program. By contrast, the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) program has maintained a comparatively stronger enrollment position. This distinction presents a clear opportunity to build upon the stability of Electrical Engineering while restoring the visibility, relevance, and enrollment of Oregon Tech’s distinctive renewable energy programs. The next Chair will be instrumental in leading that revitalization, advancing domestic and international student recruitment and retention, and working collaboratively with faculty to modernize and streamline curricula that reflect evolving industry expectations, student needs, and available resources. This work will be central to strengthening academic quality, ensuring program sustainability, and positioning the department for renewed growth. Equally important is the opportunity to strengthen the department as an academic community. With eight faculty members distributed equally between Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro, EERE requires a leader who can build trust, encourage collaboration, establish shared priorities, and ensure that faculty and students at both campuses experience consistent and effective leadership. The successful Chair will bring the ability to listen, engage, and unite colleagues around a common vision while fostering a culture of accountability, academic excellence, and continuous improvement. Supporting faculty development and creating an environment in which faculty can thrive will be essential to the department’s long-term success. External engagement will be central to the department’s continued development. Oregon’s engineering, energy, and technology industries offer opportunities for relationships that support student recruitment, internships, industry-sponsored projects, equipment investment, applied research, and graduate employment. The next Chair will serve as a visible advocate for EERE, communicating the distinctive capabilities of its academic programs, faculty, and students, building on existing partnerships, while identifying new avenues for collaboration across the state and beyond. Particular attention to the complementary strengths and opportunities associated with the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses will be essential. Importantly, this appointment calls for an academic leader whose accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, and professional engagement provide the credibility to guide a technically diverse department, but whose principal motivation is building programs, developing faculty, advancing student success, and strengthening the department’s future. Oregon Tech values applied scholarship and industry-connected innovation. The Chair will foster an environment in which faculty can advance their scholarly interests, engage students in meaningful research, pursue external support, and contribute to the broader academic and professional communities they serve. The opportunity is to build a sustainable culture of scholarship, collaboration, and academic excellence that advances the department as a whole. Ultimately, the Department Chair of Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy is more than an administrative appointment. It is an opportunity to steward a pioneering academic legacy while providing the leadership necessary to renew its momentum and expand its impact. For a leader who combines deep renewable energy expertise with entrepreneurial thinking, collaborative academic leadership, and a passion for preparing the next generation of engineers, this position offers the chance to build something consequential at a university whose mission is grounded in improving the human condition. To view the full position prospectus, link here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:04174f0b-c837-4fb8-b124-02ec1ab3235a Equity & InclusionOregon Tech strongly recognizes and believes that a diverse and inclusive academic environment fosters mutual understanding, interpersonal and individual respect, cultural awareness, harmony, and creativity, while providing necessary role models for all students. Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive university requires that no person experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression or any other protected personal characteristic. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who actively demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Minimum Requirements
Additional Requirements	Earned Ph.D. in Renewable Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with graduate-level education, scholarly accomplishments, and demonstrated expertise in Renewable Energy Engineering, supported by substantial knowledge and experience in Electrical Engineering. Academic credentials, scholarship, and professional experience sufficient for appointment at the rank of Full Professor with tenure, consistent with Oregon Tech’s standards. Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, program administration, curriculim development, or related leadership responsibilities in higher education. Substatial knowledge of renewable energy technologies, systems, and applications, including their relationship to electrical engineering education practice. Demonstrated understanding of accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement in engineering education.
Preferred Qualifications	Prior academic leadership as a department chair, program director, graduate program director, or comparable academic administrator. Demonstrated success in student recruitment, enrollment development, retention, or academic program growth. Experience leading curriculum modernization and aligning engineering programs with industry and workforce needs. Direct experience with ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) or Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) accreditation processes. Evidence of effective faculty mentorship, collaborative leadership, and experience leading organizational or academic program improvement. Experience developing partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations, particularly in renewable energy, electrical power, semiconductor technology, or related engineering fields. Established record of applied research, scholarly publication, externally funded projects, or leadership supporting faculty research and graduate education. Professional engineering licensure and relevant industry experience.

Application Information

Recruitment Type	External
Application Screening Begins	12/10/2026
Job Posting Close Date
Special Instructions to Applicant	LeadExec is partnering with Oregon Institute of Technology in this national search. For inquiries, nominations, applications, and confidential conversations, please contact: Lisa J. Marks, Founder & CEO Leyla Kayi, Senior Search Consultant 413.335.6936 | [email protected] This position is open until filled but only applications received by Thursday, December 10, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Applications should include a detailed letter of interest and a current curriculum vitae/resume. LeadExec is a respected expert in retained executive search and organizational development. We identify and engage leaders who make an impact and transform organizations. Equity & Inclusion Oregon Tech strongly recognizes and believes that a diverse and inclusive academic environment fosters mutual understanding, interpersonal and individual respect, cultural awareness, harmony, and creativity, while providing necessary role models for all students. Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive university requires that no person experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression or any other protected personal characteristic. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who actively demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Background/Pre-Employment Check	Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be conditioned upon the University’s receipt of a satisfactory background check, motor vehicle check, physical abilities check, and/or any other conditions of employment contained in the vacancy announcement.
AA/EEO Statement	Oregon Tech is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring, or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis in law. Oregon Tech is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Office of Human Resource at 541-885-1028 or [email protected].

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