Assistant / Associate Professor in Architecture

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor of Architectural Building Technology + Design. The position emphasizes the integration of building technology, sustainable design, and responsive teaching across lectures, labs, and undergraduate studios.

Rank and salary are commensurate with education and experience, with specific ranges for Assistant and Associate Professors.

Qualifications

• Teaching experience and portfolio should be included in statements.
• Evidence of inclusive teaching practices in teaching, research and/or professional practice.

Responsibilities

• Primary teaching responsibilities include architectural building technology lecture courses and hands-on activity coursework.
• Additional teaching responsibilities include undergraduate design studio and/or research related courses.

Skills

Teaching experience

Portfolio evidence

Education

Master’s degree in architecture (or allied discipline) or D. Arch.

Professional degree in architecture

Architectural license

Ph.D.

Professional experience in architecture

Relevant college-level teaching experience

Body of work corresponding to the advertised position

Job description

ASSISTANT / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING TECHNOLOGY + DESIGN

We invite applicants with expertise in the creative integration of architectural building technologies, including environmentally conscious design, construction systems (materials, structure, envelope); site contextual systems (analysis and design); and building systems (passive and active thermal control, daylighting, electric lighting, acoustics) to begin on August 17, 2026. Candidates’ research and/or substantial architectural practice experience should demonstrate the integration of building technology systems in addition to a record of successful teaching. Candidates should address the interrelationships of social‑equity, climate resilience, and sustainable building technologies within the built environment in their teaching, scholarship, critical practice and/or service.

Primary teaching responsibilities will include architectural building technology lecture courses and related hands‑on activity coursework. Additional teaching responsibilities will include undergraduate design studio, and/or research related courses based on the candidate’s interests and experience.

Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected.
Assistant Professor: $97,008 – $103,644
Associate Professor: $104,004 – $113,172

About The Department

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, undergraduate architecture students take two full academic years of Building Technology, including “Architectural Technology Fundamentals” in the second year and “Architectural Systems Integration” in the third year. These courses are taught through lectures and associated activity coursework in both year levels and are taught by a collaborative team of faculty. In lecture mode, building technology topics are delivered to the entire student cohort. In activity mode, faculty work with smaller student cohorts on hands‑on applied knowledge activities.

The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Architecture Department has a strong reputation for providing rigorous education and employs a five‑year Bachelor of Architecture program that emphasizes application, reflection, collaboration, and project‑based learning. The department supports creative inquiry through extensive fabrication facilities, libraries, an outdoor experimental laboratory, and an indoor fabrication and construction facility. For more information about the department, college, and university, visit our websites: www.architecture.calpoly.edu, www.caed.calpoly.edu, and www.calpoly.edu.

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. Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on protected characteristics. Cal Poly complies with applicable federal, state and campus non‑discrimination policies and prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies and practices.

Required Qualifications

Given Cal Poly’s commitment to the teacher‑scholar model, candidates should include descriptions of teaching in their written statements and portfolio and should provide evidence of inclusive teaching practices in their teaching, research, and/or professional practice.

Additional Requirements Include

• Professional degree in architecture
• Master’s degree in architecture (or allied discipline) or D. Arch.
• Architectural license or Ph.D. (see note below)
• Professional experience in architecture
• Relevant college‑level teaching experience
• A body of work corresponding to the advertised position

Appointments may be offered to candidates eligible for licensure or nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD); promotion and tenure are contingent on an architecture license or Ph.D.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with professional experience and/or specialization in a scholarly area that addresses social and environmental equity in the built environment, such as affordable housing and resilient communities.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check, including a criminal records check, must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment.

For health and well‑being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco‑free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community. In accordance with the California State University Out‑of‑State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity that prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.