Associate Director of Engineering & Innovation Career Advising

About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY: The   Associate Director of   Engineering & Innovation Career Ad vising   serves as Northeastern University's dedicated career specialist for students pursuing roles in mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, industrial, and bioengineering, as well as robotics, advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy, and adjacent engineering and innovation disciplines.   As a core member of the Career Education Center's sector-based advising team, this role   brings deep, current knowledge of the engineering and innovation talent market to bear on every aspect of student career development from first-year exploration through full-time offer negotiation. The Engineering & Innovation Career Advisor designs and delivers sector-specific programming, maintains active employer relationships with engineering firms, manufacturers, defense contractors, energy companies, and innovation-driven enterprises across scales and geographies, and uses labor market data and AI-enabled tools to give students a competitive edge. This professional understands how engineering hiring is being reshaped by AI and automation including changes to recruiting processes, evolving technical competency expectations, and emerging roles at the intersection of engineering, data, and systems thinking   which   translates that intelligence into practical, outcome-focused advising and workshops. The role is ideal for someone who has worked in or alongside engineering or innovation-driven industries, speaks the language of engineering hiring managers, technical recruiters, and project leads, and is energized by helping students land meaningful, high-quality   opportunities and   full-time employment in fields that are building the infrastructure, systems, and technologies of the future.   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree   is   required   and a master’s degree preferred; degrees and/or experience   in   engineering, applied sciences, higher education, counseling, engineering management, or related field s   given preference . Familiarity with professional licensure pathways (e.g., FE/PE exam preparation) is a plus.    Minimum of 4–6 years of experience in career services, engineering or technical recruiting, workforce development, or the engineering, manufacturing, defense, or energy industries, with   demonstrated   understanding of engineering sector hiring practices, co-op and internship pipelines, and role landscapes.    Substantive knowledge of the engineering and innovation job markets including familiarity with hiring practices across mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, and bioengineering disciplines; defense and government contracting recruiting norms; advanced manufacturing and robotics career pathways; and the growing demand for engineers with competencies in data, systems integration, and automation.    Experience working with or advising students or early-career professionals in engineering or innovation-driven fields, with the ability to translate complex industry dynamics including technical interview preparation, licensure   timelines, security clearance considerations, and evolving employer expectations into accessible, actionable guidance.    Experience managing others, including regular coaching and feedback, structured professional development, performance management, and engagement support that cultivates a high-performing, student-centered advising practice.    Proficiency with career management platforms (e.g., Handshake), labor market intelligence tools (e.g.,   Lightcast , LinkedIn Talent Insights), and AI-enabled career development tools; familiarity with engineering-specific job platforms (e.g.,   EngineeringJobs , Dice, or defense/government hiring portals) is a plus.    Demonstrated ability to build and sustain employer relationships with engineering firms, manufacturers, defense contractors, energy companies, and innovation-driven enterprises, and convert those relationships into co-op, internship, and full-time hiring opportunities for students.    Data fluency: ability to interpret employment outcome data, labor market trends, and program metrics to evaluate effectiveness and inform programming decisions.    Strong presentation, coaching, and interpersonal skills; ability to engage effectively with students across a wide range of engineering disciplines, experience levels, and career readiness stages.   KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Sector-Specialized Career Advising & Student Coaching   Provide individualized career advising and coaching to students pursuing full-time roles in   engineering, robotics, product   design   and entrepreneurship . Guide students through technical job search strateg ies , resume and portfolio development tailored to engineering and   related   roles, technical interview preparation (including assessments, system design, and behavioral interviews), and offer evaluation.   Managing up to 2   Assistant Directors of Career Development , providing coaching, professional development,   feedback   and support.   Maintain a current, deep understanding of how AI is transforming   hiring   including AI-assisted screening, new role categories, an Sector Programming Design & Delivery   Design, deliver, and continuously improve a calendar of sector-specific programming that addresses the full arc of the job search: industry exploration, networking in   engineering and entrepreneurial   communities, technical skill showcasing, mock interviews, career fairs and employer showcases, and salary negotiation in   related fields . Develop programming in partnership with faculty, student organizations (e.g.,   engineering   societies and clubs ,   innovators   and entrepreneurship groups ), and employer partners. Evaluate program effectiveness using attendance, engagement, and downstream employment outcome data, and iterate accordingly.   Employer Engagement & Full-Time Hiring Pipeline   C