Program Director, Mechatronics
A Program Director of Mechatronics provides visionary leadership for a program that integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, preparing graduates for careers in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Program Director of Mechatronics do?
The Program Director provides visionary leadership for a growing program that integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering disciplines. The role owns curriculum development, instructional excellence, and the strategic partnerships that prepare graduates for careers in robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
It suits a leader who can balance academic rigor with industry awareness, building a program that stays aligned with both accreditation standards and real workforce needs.
Mechatronics is an engineering discipline that integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design and build automated systems and robotics. A mechatronics program trains students for careers in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
What does this role integrate and connect?
What are the key responsibilities?
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the mechatronics curriculum, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and workforce needs.
- Oversee program accreditation, assessment, and reporting to ensure compliance and quality outcomes.
- Recruit, develop, and support faculty to foster high-quality instruction and student engagement.
- Establish and maintain partnerships with industry leaders to expand internship, co-op, and applied research opportunities for students.
- Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to drive student recruitment, retention, and program growth.
- Manage program resources, budgets, and laboratories to maintain state-of-the-art facilities.
- Represent the program at conferences, community events, and professional organizations.
What qualifications are required?
- Master’s degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related discipline; doctorate preferred.
- At least 5 years of combined academic or industry experience in mechatronics, robotics, or automation.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, faculty leadership, or program administration.
- Strong understanding of industry trends in advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies.
- Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with accreditation and assessment processes is highly desirable.
Why is this role important?
This position offers the chance to lead a dynamic academic program at the forefront of engineering education. The selected leader plays a key role in shaping student success, advancing institutional excellence, and driving the industry collaboration that keeps a mechatronics program relevant.
Because mechatronics sits at the intersection of three engineering disciplines and a fast-moving industry, the director’s ability to keep curriculum, faculty, and labs current is what determines whether graduates are ready for the roles employers are actually hiring for.
A hiring note from Excelon
The hard part of this search is finding someone fluent across all three engineering disciplines who can also run a program. Many strong candidates are deep in one area and lighter in the others, so we look closely at breadth and at whether they have managed budgets, labs, and accreditation, not just taught. Existing industry relationships are a real differentiator, because they translate directly into co-ops and applied research for students.
Mechatronics lives where three engineering disciplines meet. The director’s job is to keep all three current at once.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Program Director of Mechatronics do?
The Program Director provides leadership for a mechatronics program that integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, overseeing curriculum development, instructional excellence, accreditation, and strategic industry partnerships.
What qualifications are required?
This sample role requires a master’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or a related discipline, with a doctorate preferred, plus at least five years of combined academic or industry experience in mechatronics, robotics, or automation.
What is mechatronics?
Mechatronics is an engineering discipline that integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design and build automated systems and robotics. A mechatronics program prepares students for careers in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
What careers does the program prepare students for?
The program prepares graduates for careers in robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies, supported by internships, co-ops, and applied research opportunities built through industry partnerships.
Why is this role important?
The role leads a program at the forefront of engineering education, shaping student success, advancing institutional excellence, and driving the industry collaboration that keeps graduates aligned with real workforce demand.
Need to hire a Program Director of Mechatronics?
Excelon Associates recruits engineering and technical education leaders for colleges and universities nationwide, connecting institutions with directors who can build innovative programs in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.