Associate Director of Advanced Manufacturing

K-State Olathe seeks an Associate Director of Advanced Manufacturing to oversee the Material Properties Lab, promote lab capabilities, identify industry-aligned research opportunities, and support workforce education in bulk solids and advanced manufacturing.

Advanced Manufacturing is a new initiative at Kansas State University Olathe (https://olathe.k-state.edu/) designed to serve the growing manufacturing industry in the Greater Kansas City Region and nationally. New facilities are being built for student labs and research of advanced manufacturing and bulk solid handling. The Associate Director will report to the Director of Advanced Manufacturing Research and Training, working closely with University Staff and Faculty, and others on campus to develop and implement programs.
In this role, the Associate Director will support program operations in several ways. This includes leading laboratory and technical operations for the Material Properties Lab while supporting professional educational programming, and outreach efforts that advance the center's mission in advanced manufacturing. The Associate Director is responsible for the operational oversight of daily lab functions, executing testing, preparing client reports, maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory environment, and serving as a technical resource to clients and partners. This position also contributes to the development and delivery of technical education and workforce training, while helping expand industry relationships, identify emerging opportunities, and promoting the lab's capabilities and expertise through external representation and partnerships.

Job duties include:

Kansas State University Olathe, established in April 2011 as the newest campus in the K-State system, is located in Johnson County within the Greater Kansas City metro and plays a key role in the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle, a voter-supported partnership that generates more than $20 million annually to advance higher education through collaboration among Johnson County, the University of Kansas, and Kansas State University. In addition to its strategic regional impact, K-State Olathe offers a collaborative and engaging work environment with strong professional development support, including employee tuition assistance, lunch-and-learns, campus workshops, Leadership Olathe, regional Chamber involvement, and community-building activities such as social events, service opportunities, and team-building programs.

This position is Hybrid eligible. This position is hybrid eligible; however, we require the first 90 days to be 100% on-site to allow for training and onboarding. After that period, hybrid eligibility will be discussed with the supervisor. It is important to note that when duties require in-person attendance, this position requires a commitment to being in the office.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

* Requires a bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, industrial or applied technical environments, or engineering technology.
* Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess advanced theoretical knowledge, specialized methodologies, and critical problem-solving skills essential for managing complex research operations and ensuring regulatory compliance. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Hands on experience in Industrial Automation, Robotics, Pneumatic or Mechanical conveying.
* Knowledge of industrial safety practices.
* Proven knowledge of basic gas laws, material properties, chemistry, and physics relevant to advanced manufacturing, industrial, or applied technical environment
* Demonstrated strong written communication skills and the ability to communicate confidently and professionally with clients.
* Demonstrated ability to teach and deliver presentations in a structured academic, professional, and/or workshop setting on technical topics related to advanced manufacturing, bulk solids, or industrial automation.
* Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and CAD software.

Additional Role Information:

* Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
* Capable of moving and lifting up to 50lbs.
* Comfortable wearing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment.
* Willing to travel to customer sites, technical conferences, or other campuses on an occasional basis.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Please submit the following documents:

* Cover letter indicating your qualifications for the position
* Resume
* Three professional references with email address and telephone number

Applications close on: July 1, 2026. Applications will start being reviewed on or after the close date.

$70,000 - $95,000