Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Job Description

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Assistant Professor

Fall 2027

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in Mechanical Engineering with an appointment to begin Fall 2027. The department seeks candidates from all fields of mechanical engineering but is especially interested candidates with expertise in thermal-fluid sciences and manufacturing.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. CSUF complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

In addition, California State University, Fullerton is a leading public university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. As one of the largest campuses in the CSU system, Cal State Fullerton fosters innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. The university values teaching, research, and service, creating an environment where students, staff, and faculty can thrive. Cal State Fullerton is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The university also received the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021 and 2024 from Excelencia in Education, the nation’s leading authority on Latinx student success. Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer with a diverse student population of over 45,000 and a faculty and staff population of 4,000. Cal State Fullerton is firmly committed to helping students achieve academic excellence, career success, and economic mobility. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful impact. We continuously seek individuals from various disciplines who share the university’s mission and core values. We welcome you to consider joining the Titan community.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success.

Position

CSUF faculty in the mechanical engineering department are committed teacher/scholars who create compelling educational experiences for their students. They teach courses in the areas of their expertise, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primary responsibilities for this role include teaching courses in the mechanical engineering curricula, developing new courses in emerging areas of mechanical engineering, mentoring students on their projects and research, participating in service opportunities that benefit students and the university, and contributing positively to the culture of the department.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field. ABD’s may apply but must earn a doctorate in one of the sub disciplines of Mechanical Engineering before the appointment date; B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, including laboratory courses.
• Ability and willingness to promote undergraduate and graduate student success through advising, co-curricular activities and other high impact practices.
• Focused research agenda with external funding potential.
• Demonstrated experience in publishing scholarly peer-reviewed publications in refereed venues within the last three years.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability and willingness to interact effectively with a wide and culturally diverse range of students and colleagues.

Application

A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit

https://hr.fullerton.edu/workforce/careers.html , choose full-time faculty, search for the position 558587, and provide the following required materials:

• Cover letter in which you respond to the required qualifications.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review).
• Teaching statement (maximum of two single-spaced pages):
  • This statement should explain your teaching philosophy and pedagogy. It should also describe all courses you have taught before or are currently teaching, courses in our curriculum that you would be willing to teach, and future courses that you would like to develop.
• Research statement (maximum of two single-spaced pages):
  • This statement should address your current research, possibilities of your research to catalyze innovation into the field, potential funding that your research could bring to the department, as well as any laboratory equipment and/or space that you will need.
• Statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (maximum of one single-spaced page):
  • This statement provides your unique perspective on your contributions to, and future aspirations for, promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in your professional career. The purpose of this statement is to help the department identify candidates who have professional experience, intellectual commitments, and willingness to engage in activities that could help CSUF contribute to its mission in these areas. The statement shall address one or more of the following criteria:
  • You have acquired knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty in higher education.
  • You have experience in and are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations in higher education.
  • You have experience in and are committed to teaching and/or mentoring underrepresented students in a higher education environment.
  • You have experience integrating underrepresented populations and communities into scholarly and creative activities.

• Finalists must submit three letters of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back into your applicant portal.
• Finalists will be asked to have each of their three referents submit a letter of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to offer should you proceed to this search phase.

Please direct all questions about the position to the search chair at [email protected] or call 657-278-8948.

Application Deadline

To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by October 15, 2026. The anticipated appointment date is August 16, 2027.

The College and Department

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) at CSUF is one of only two ABET Accredited engineering programs in Orange County, California. US News & World Report ranks us as one of the “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” at schools where a doctorate is not offered. We are dedicated to educating and preparing professionals to harness the power and potential of the engineering sciences for the benefit of society. We are home to more than 5,700 talented undergraduate and graduate students and each year we award approximately 1,200 undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and computer science. For more information about the college, please go to http://www.fullerton.edu/ecs/.

Compensation

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $7,670 to $7,823 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work ( https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

CSUF Benefits

An excellent comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee-waiver; access to campus child-care; and a defined-benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax-sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017, are subject to a 10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

International Candidates

California State University, Fullerton, is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

For tenure-track faculty positions, California State University, Fullerton is currently not sponsoring H-1B applicants subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Individuals in the U.S. who hold a valid lawful nonimmigrant status visa can have a petition filed on their behalf to change their status to H-1B without being subjected to the fee. For example, the fee does not apply to an H-1B petition filed by an individual presently in the U.S. who is an F-1, J-1, or O-1 status holder.

CSU Policies

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Notice of Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator .

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. It requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Advertised: Aug 03 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: