Partner with the Swanson School of Engineering
Why Partner With Us?
The Swanson School of Engineering connects industry partners with faculty across 10 ABET-accredited programs in six departments—spanning energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and sustainability. Whether you are looking to recruit top talent, co-develop new technologies, or invest in workforce training, we offer structured pathways to make partnership productive from day one.
Partnering with Pitt Engineering gives your organization:
- Research collaboration at one of the top research institutions in the U.S.—Pitt ranks #16 nationally in R&D expenditures and attracts more than $1.2 billion in external research funding
- Access to specialized laboratories and equipment supporting $63.5 million in Swanson School research expenditures (FY25)
- Direct connections to nationally recognized faculty with 29 NSF CAREER Awards since 2016 and members of the National Academies of Engineering, Inventors, and Science
- A proven engineering talent pipeline—34% of students participate in co-ops, and 96% are working in industry or attending graduate school after graduation
Engage and Recruit Top Students
Build Your Talent Pipeline at the Source
With 2,720 undergraduates and 771 graduate students across a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Swanson School students bring hands-on project experience, co-op placements, and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to the table. Our career services team works directly with corporate partners to match your hiring needs with qualified candidates. Recruitment pathways include:
- STEM-focused career fairs with direct access to undergraduate and graduate students
- Co-op and internship programs that embed students in your organization for extended engagements
- Sponsored capstone and senior design projects that let you evaluate talent on real problems
- Student organization partnerships and guest speaker opportunities—with more than 50 engineering student organizations on campus
- Customized on-campus recruiting events
Educate and Develop Your Workforce
Invest in Your Team’s Growth
The Swanson School offers flexible graduate and professional programs designed for working engineers and technical professionals, including focused master’s programs in Construction Management, Medical Product Engineering, and Electric Power that place graduates in high-demand careers. Options include:
- Group tuition rates for professional master’s degree and certificate programs
- On-site or virtual “Lunch & Learn” and program information sessions
- Customized training workshops developed with our faculty around your technical challenges
- Online and hybrid course formats that fit around work schedules
Utilize Research and Development
Solve Problems Together
In 2025, 475 companies collaborated with Pitt faculty on nearly 800 research projects—from basic science to highly focused translational work. The Swanson School generated $63.5 million in research expenditures in FY25, produced 41 patents (38% of the entire university’s total), and has launched 63 startups. We offer multiple models for collaboration so you can engage at the level that fits your needs:
- Joint research projects structured around shared goals and deliverables
- Fee-for-service research, testing, and evaluation performed by our faculty and staff
- Laboratory access for your technical employees, with training provided
- Co-located space for embedded collaboration with our faculty and research teams on longer-term projects
License Our Technologies and Invest in Our Startups
Bring Pitt Innovations to Market
With more than $1.2 billion in external research funding (#16 in the U.S.), the University of Pittsburgh generates a deep pipeline of licensable innovations across materials science, medical devices, software, manufacturing processes, and more. Technologies are available through Pitt’s Innovation Institute, which serves as the front door for companies looking to commercialize university research.
Through the Innovation Institute, you can browse and license available technologies, connect with faculty-led startups, or serve as a mentor to student and faculty entrepreneurs.
Support the Swanson School of Engineering
Strengthen the Partnership Through Philanthropy
Corporate philanthropy creates lasting connections between your organization and the next generation of engineers. Targeted giving supports scholarships, lab infrastructure, student competitions, and experiential learning programs that directly shape your future workforce. Pitt’s Office of Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement can help you structure a giving relationship aligned with your company’s priorities and the Swanson School’s strategic goals.