Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering Faculty - AY

Overview

Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering Faculty - AY 26/27

Apply now Job no: 552329 •
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track •
Location: San Luis Obispo •
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California (Cal Poly) invites applications for a full-time, academic year, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank beginning Fall 2026. The successful candidate will teach a variety of courses within a thermo-fluids stem or mechanics stem to undergraduate and graduate students in classroom and laboratory settings.

Additional responsibilities include advising students, participating in university service activities, and conducting applied research in mechanical engineering. The candidate may have a specific specialization (e.g., biomechanics, heat transfer, energy systems or fracture mechanics) and will teach in a broader area around their specialization. Outcomes assessment and Learn by Doing are important components of Cal Poly’s curriculum.

The search is focused on either the thermo-fluids or mechanics stem. The department also has searches open in Mechatronics and Mechanical System Design. See Job Nos. 550311 (Mechatronics) and 550308 (Mechanical System Design) for details.

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Anticipated hiring range: $106,000 – $117,000 per year. Qualified candidates with industry experience are encouraged to apply.

The College of Engineering at Cal Poly is committed to inclusive excellence in student learning and applied research. Cal Poly emphasizes Learn by Doing, including extensive lab work and projects. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has over 1,600 undergraduates across two campuses, with nearly 80 faculty. The department oversees four machine shops and makerspaces and operates multiple labs to support the undergraduate curriculum.

Faculty engage in sponsored research with government and industry partners.

This position is open to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, in accordance with Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory treatment, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent is required. Candidates nearing completion (ABD) will be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to or by the start of the appointment. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, effective communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to develop an externally funded, applied research program involving undergraduate and graduate students, and partnerships with key stakeholders.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Demonstrated commitment to hands-on, student-centered learning and ability to work in multidisciplinary settings are required. This search focuses on thermo-fluids or mechanics and candidates should be prepared to teach a variety of courses in classroom and laboratory settings, advise students, participate in service activities, and conduct applied or fundamental research.

Outcomes assessment and Learn by Doing are important components of Cal Poly’s curriculum.

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated excellence in university-level teaching and research, experience with…