Program Director

Agency

Department

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Spark! Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for P–12 engineering education and broader impacts initiatives across Texas A&M Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). This position collaborates with faculty and research centers to develop and implement programs that advance educational outreach, student competitions, and professional development opportunities for educators while strengthening partnerships and ensuring alignment with State, System, University, and Agency priorities and objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership for the integration and expansion of P–12 engineering education and outreach initiatives across Texas A&M Engineering and TEES centers, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, workforce development goals, and broader impacts objectives.
• Establishes and advances new educational outreach programs, student competitions, and educator professional learning opportunities by collaborating with faculty, department and division leadership, school districts, industry, and community partners.
• Identifies and pursues external funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic partnerships, to expand program impact and sustainability.
• Oversees the operational and fiscal management of P–12 outreach initiatives, including strategic planning, budget development, financial stewardship, personnel oversight, program assessment, and compliance with sponsor and institutional reporting requirements.
• Drives continuous improvement by developing and implementing policies, procedures, and evaluation strategies that strengthen program quality, measure impact, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of engineering education outreach.
• Cultivates and maintains partnerships with schools, educational organizations, industry, government agencies, and community stakeholders to expand access to high-quality engineering and STEM learning experiences.
• Represents Texas A&M Engineering and TEES on university, state, and national committees, councils, and professional organizations and supports the development of communication and marketing strategies that promote P–12 engineering education and outreach initiatives.
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.
• This position requires direct engagement with minors and youth during program activities. The employee is expected to fully adhere to all university policies and state regulations pertaining to the safety and protection of minors.

What We Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of related experience.

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Workforce Development

The Workforce Development Division of Texas A&M Engineering will be the premier provider of programs, conferences, professional development, and educational opportunities to prepare experts, employees and advocates for STEM-related fields. The Workforce Development Division has six programs: Spark! PK-12 Engineering Education Outreach, ReCENT, Engineering Academies, TEES EDGE Professional Education, Regional Divisions, Conference and Events Planning Services. Through these programs, the division creates and coordinates opportunities worldwide to hone expertise among engineering professionals and train or retrain those interested in emerging engineering fields while concurrently engaging with PK-collegiate educators and students to encourage future engineers.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.
• Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.