This study has examined the relationship between Big Five personality traits and work engagement among academic staff of private universities in Perak, Malaysia. The aforementioned traits included extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. This quantitative, survey-based research had 102 respondents who comprised the academic staff of selected private universities in Perak. Demographic data, Big Five personality traits, and work engagement were assessed using a biographical questionnaire, Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory 3 (NEO-FFI-3), and Utrecht Work Engagement Scales (UWES) respectively. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) was conceptualized and executed. As per the results, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience had significant positive effects on work engagement. This study would be beneficial to the government and private universities of Malaysia since it has provided insight and recommendations for further enhancements of the quality of private higher education in the country.