Innovation in the Discipline
Interdisciplinary at its core, the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern focuses on optimizing and solving real world global challenges such as healthcare systems, energy systems, and resilience systems. Through a holistic thinking approach and partnerships with industry, our faculty and students are creating solutions to an ever changing world.
Education and Research Excellence
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is the heart of a Northeastern education and encompasses our co-op program as well as project-based learning, research, global experiences, service learning, and student organizations.
BS, MS, and PhD Degrees
Interdisciplinary Research
A vibrant research enterprise spans 12 disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research themes addressing global challenges and includes partnerships, collaborations, and funding with industry, academia, and government agencies.
Addressing Global Challenges
Engaged Community
Join our welcoming, inclusive, and exciting community! With programs across the Global University System, our department provides access to global experiential opportunities, regional hubs for high- and bio-tech interactions, top hospitals in the world, strong interconnected and intercultural communities for student organizations to engage with peers, and a network of faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
Award-Winning, Active Student ClubsSpotlight Stories
Fellow of the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers
MIE Associate Professor Yi Zheng was elevated to the grade of Fellow of the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE) for his “advances in micro/nanoscale radiative heat transfer via functional energy materials and metamaterials, energy storage, and solar desalination for efficient, sustainable energy systems.”
ASME Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal
MIE/BioE Professor Francis Loth received the 2026 ASME Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal, which recognizes an individual who has translated meritorious bioengineering science to clinical practice through research, education, professional development, and with service to the bioengineering community.
Engineering in Action
Out of This World Experiences
Paige Butler, BS, mechanical engineering, shares how her involvement in the student group Students for the Exploration and Development of Space landed her two co-ops at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and subsequently, a full-time position following graduation. Learn how Northeastern University’s cooperative education program helps undergraduate students explore their passions while providing unparalleled opportunities for career advancement.
PhD Research for Impact
Conor Doyle, PhD, mechanical engineering, found a can-do culture and spirit of discovery in his program at Northeastern University. Testing and evaluating materials in Northeastern’s advanced lab facilities, he’s gained a hands-on skillset with applications for both research and industry.
Co-op Leads to Career Position at SpaceX
Ethan Flynn, BS, mechanical engineering, says co-op sets you up for the future. He completed three co-ops in his 4.5 years at Northeastern: Sikorsky working on Black Hawk helicopters, NASA JPL working on the Mars Rover 2020, and at SpaceX, which he converted to a full time position!
From Co-op to Full Time Job Offer—Before Graduation
Sharon Melul Steinfeld, BS, industrial engineering, and MS, engineering management, completed co-ops at Hasbro as a project engineer on the Transformer toy line, and at PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a management consultant for company mergers. Sharon got a full time job offer 18 months before graduating and contributes this to her co-op opportunities.
Recent News
Light & Matter! Bringing Color-Changing Art to Life
Researchers led by MIE Associate Professor Hongli Zhu have developed a method for writing multicolor images into cellulose-based photonic gels using light. Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the study on “Grayscale Photomasks Enable Noncontact Optical Patterning of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Gels for Dynamic Art” combines machine-learning-guided calibration with grayscale photomasks to create images in a single 10-second ultraviolet exposure.
Sending Microchips to the Stars Through a Student Co-op
During her co-op at Besxar Space Industries, mechanical engineering and bioengineering student Rhea Dharia, E’27, helped design equipment to test semiconductor manufacturing in the vacuum of outer space.
Zheng Receives 2026 Humboldt Research Fellowship
Yi Zheng, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, has received a 2026 Humboldt Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Zhu Honored with 2027 ACS ENFL Research Excellence Award
Hongli (Julie) Zhu, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, has been named the 2027 recipient of the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Energy and Fuels (ENFL) Division’s Research Excellence Award in Electrochemical Energy Storage.