Assoc./Full Professor of Engineering Practice for Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership Program (West Lafayette, IN, US)

Purdue University

Experience: 10+ yrs
Location: West Lafayette or Palo Alto
Job type: Full-time

Required skills

Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Robotics
AI infrastructure

About the role

Job Summary

Purdue University’s College of Engineering invites applications for a Professor of Engineering Practice (PEP) position at the Associate/Full level in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering with a rare opportunity: to help build a new graduate program from the ground up. We seek exceptional candidates with deep experience in (a) one or more technical areas including Artificial Intelligence, Physical AI, the AI Tech Stack, advanced computing, AND (b) technical organizational leadership and management, who are excited by the challenge of launching and shaping something entirely new.

A Professor of Practice is a non-tenure-track faculty member with extensive real-world professional experience, bringing industry expertise to the classroom. The successful candidate will be both a founding faculty member and the inaugural Program Director for Purdue’s new Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership, a forward-leaning program designed to prepare mid-career engineers and technology professionals not only to understand advanced technologies, but to lead people, organizations, and innovation efforts in an accelerating AI-driven world. Students will choose between two high-demand tracks: Physical AI and the AI Tech Stack.

Based in Silicon Valley at Playground Global in Palo Alto, California, the program is anchored in online instruction, with optional in-person enrichment and experiential opportunities in Palo Alto designed to extend learning beyond the virtual classroom. These activities may include workshops, guest lectures, networking events, site visits and other immersive experiences, bringing together Purdue’s engineering excellence, cutting-edge industry expertise, and the energy of the world’s most influential technology ecosystem. This role offers the chance to work closely with tech leaders, shape curriculum, and develop experiences that reflect real-world AI innovation organizational leadership, and the management capabilities required to guide technical teams and enterprises.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach graduate-level courses in the Executive MS in AI Engineering Leadership program, spanning technical foundations and organizational leadership topics.
• Serve as the inaugural Program Director, providing academic and strategic leadership for the program.
• Lead the development and continuous refinement of curriculum across the Physical AI and AI Tech Stack tracks, ensuring alignment with industry needs and emerging technologies.
• Build and maintain partnerships with industry leaders, alumni, and external stakeholders, particularly within the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
• Initiate and guide programmatic activities that enhance student learning, professional development, and industry engagement.
• Mentor students and emerging leaders, drawing on professional experience to support career growth and leadership development.

We are looking for someone with a PhD degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline, or an MS degree in any of the above-mentioned disciplines plus a minimum of 10 years of experience along with extensive professional networks in one or more of the following technical areas: physical AI, AI infrastructure, and robotics and autonomy industries, by the employment start date. While deep technical expertise in AI is not required, the successful candidate must have significant organizational leadership and management experience, including leading technical teams, shaping organizational strategy, developing talent, and delivering products or programs at scale. This is a position for a builder—someone who thrives in dynamic environments, understands the complexities of managing technical organizations, and sees opportunity in the space between academia and industry.

Application Process

Purdue Engineering is one of the largest and most highly ranked engineering colleges in the nation. With four disciplines ranked in the top four and nine in the top ten (U.S. News & World Report), and the nation’s #2 online graduate engineering program, Purdue is expanding that excellence to meet the moment in AI and leadership development.

To apply, please submit an application to this site, including: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae or résumé, (3) statement of teaching philosophy, including your approach to working with technical professionals (max. 3 pg.), (4) statement on what emerging leaders in AI, the AI Tech Stack, and Physical AI need to know and how you would prepare them (max. 1 pg.), (5) Names and contact information of at least three references.

The search committee may contact references to request letters. For questions regarding the position or the application process, contact Engineering Academic Affairs, Purdue Engineering, at coeacademicaffairs@purdue.edu. Review of applications will begin on June 8, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment.

Purdue and the College of Engineering have a Concierge Program that provides dual career assistance and relocation services.

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

About Purdue University

Public research university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

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