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Adjunct Engineering Professor Jobs in Washington, DC

Adjunct Engineering Professor information

See Washington, DC salary details

$32

$76

$89

How much do adjunct engineering professor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for adjunct engineering professor in Washington, DC is $76.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75.67 and $79.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an adjunct engineering professor?

An Adjunct Engineering Professor is a part-time faculty member who teaches engineering courses at a college or university. Unlike full-time professors, adjuncts are usually hired on a contractual basis for specific courses or semesters. They may also work in industry or other fields in addition to teaching. Adjunct professors are responsible for delivering lectures, assessing student work, and contributing to the academic development of their students. Their real-world experience often enriches the learning environment for engineering students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an adjunct engineering professor?

To thrive as an Adjunct Engineering Professor, you need advanced knowledge in your engineering discipline, typically supported by a master’s or doctoral degree and relevant industry or teaching experience. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard, as well as engineering software such as MATLAB or AutoCAD, is often required. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and mentorship abilities help engage students and foster a positive learning environment. These skills ensure effective teaching, student success, and the ability to bridge academic concepts with real-world engineering practices.

What are the typical challenges faced by an adjunct engineering professor balancing teaching with other professional commitments?

Adjunct Engineering Professors often juggle teaching responsibilities with other professional roles, such as industry positions or consulting work. This can make time management and workload balancing a challenge, especially during grading periods or when preparing new course materials. Additionally, adjuncts may need to adapt quickly to different institutional cultures and student needs, often with limited access to campus resources. Building relationships with full-time faculty and staying engaged with departmental initiatives can also require extra effort, but these connections are valuable for professional growth and networking.

What is the difference between Adjunct Engineering Professor vs Part-Time Engineering Instructor?

AspectAdjunct Engineering ProfessorPart-Time Engineering Instructor
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or doctoral degree in engineering or related fieldUsually requires a bachelor's degree; advanced degrees preferred
Work EnvironmentUniversity or college classrooms, labs, and lecture hallsCommunity colleges, technical schools, or training centers
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, academiaVocational schools, community colleges, technical institutes
Work FocusTeaching courses, research, academic responsibilitiesTeaching practical engineering courses, skill development

In summary, an Adjunct Engineering Professor typically holds advanced degrees and teaches at universities, focusing on academic instruction and research. A Part-Time Engineering Instructor often has a bachelor's degree and teaches practical engineering courses at technical or community colleges. Both roles involve teaching but differ mainly in educational level, credentials, and work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Adjunct Engineering Professor jobs in Washington, DC?

For Adjunct Engineering Professor jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Adjunct Engineering Professor jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Adjunct Engineering Professor jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Adjunct Engineering Professor job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $159,158 per year, or $76.5 per hour.

Adjunct Professor -Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering

University of the District of Columbia

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Number of Vacancies: 1
Area of Consideration: Open To The Public
Employment Status: Part -Time, Temporary
Pay Plan, Series & Grade: ES0000/0000/01
Salary Range: varies depending on assignment; minimum $950 per credit hour
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Brief Description of Duties
The University of the District of Columbia is a public land grant institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. Incumbents shall teach all assigned classes and hours as determined by the semester course schedule. Incumbents will be required to prepare and deliver relevant curriculum to students using a variety of teaching methods to include, but not limited to, lecture (both in-person and online modalities), class discussion, demonstration labs, and projects. Adjunct applicants for all Mechanical and Biomedical courses offered at UDC as well as current and proposed graduate topics will be considered.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Applicant should be able to teach assigned courses as specified in the schedule and course contract.
  • Applicants should have the ability to teach the undergraduate and/or graduate courses relevant to the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Programs.
  • Evaluate and select texts and instructional materials; prepare course materials and lesson plans.
  • Provide students an approved syllabus that includes course objectives and learning outcomes, teaching methodology, attendance policies in line with those of the institution, texts and readings, assignments and deliverables, timelines and evaluation criteria.
  • Use the institution's learning management system to post syllabus, assignments and other materials and to communicate with students.
  • Deliver course content using a variety of teaching styles and provide interesting and engaging assignments that demonstrate the real-world applications of concepts covered.
  • Maintain records of enrollment and attendance, assessments and grades, submit class rosters and grade sheets by the deadlines established by the institution.
  • Provide a classroom environment conducive to learning, establishing and maintaining classroom control.
  • Encourage students to submit course evaluations, review course evaluations when available and use feedback to improve course delivery.
  • Attend all meetings, ceremonies and official functions as specified by the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Community College Officer and/or Dean.
  • Attend one or more orientation session(s) to become familiar with the Institution's mission and teaching philosophy, policies and procedures and the learning management system.
  • Meet with the Dean or Department Chair/Program Director as needed to discuss all aspects of the course including student progress and curriculum development (may be required to provide input into program development).
  • Adhere to University policies and guidelines in all matters concerning academics and student and staff conduct.

Minimum Job Requirement
  • Applicants should have PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or Related field or a Master's degree with several years of work experience.
  • Prior teaching experience or must demonstrate evidence of teaching potential and/or corporate/industry training.
  • Mechanical Engineering and/or Biomedical Engineering industry or government experience is desirable.

Information to Applicant:
Condition of Employment: Temporary employment may be ended at anytime with or without cause.
Collective Bargaining Unit: Dependent upon certain criteria, this position may be eligible for representation and require payment of union fees through direct payroll deduction.
Employment Benefits: Due to the temporary nature of this appointment, this position is ineligible for benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
Veterans Preference: Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit official proof at the time of application.
Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This job is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.
Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation. The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia. The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.
Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.
Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.
Contact Information: All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.
The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University's EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .