Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering

Nevada System of Higher Education; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Sick leave & life insurance

Fitness center

Mountain EAP

Faculty Senate

No state income tax

Job summary

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) seeks candidates for a tenure-track Faculty opening in Aerospace Engineering. This position will involve teaching, research, and service responsibilities, with a start date anticipated for July 1, 2027.

About UNR and the Gillemot Aerospace Program: the department is expanding with new BS, MS, and PhD programs and strong externally funded research initiatives. Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience.

Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in Aerospace Engineering or another closely related field.
• Candidates whose specialization complements existing strengths in the department will be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Aerospace Engineering and related ME courses.
• Perform research, supervise graduate students, and develop externally funded projects.

Skills

Aerospace research

Education

Doctoral Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at [phone] or [e-mail].

Job Description

The School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Materials Engineering and the George W. Gillemot Aerospace Program at the University of Nevada, Reno seeks candidates for a tenure track faculty opening in Aerospace Engineering. This tenure-track position will be responsible for teaching, research, and service responsibilities, as described below. The anticipated starting date is July 1, 2027.

Based on the University’s mission as a land grant institution, faculty duties will include undergraduate and graduate teaching, supervision of graduate students, performance of research, development of externally funded research projects, and university and professional service. With a recent $36M donation from the Gillemot Foundation, the department expanded its aerospace research and education, including the creation of comprehensive BS, MS, and PhD degree programs in Aerospace Engineering and hiring of four AE faculty since Spring 2025.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in Aerospace Engineering or another closely related field.
• Candidates whose specialization and interests complement existing research and instructional strengths in the department and affiliated programs will be preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

We are seeking candidates working across a broad range of aerospace engineering areas. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: aeronautics, including aerodynamics, propulsion, fluid mechanics, and flight dynamics and control; aerospace structures and materials; and space systems, including orbital mechanics and spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control.

Candidates working across disciplinary boundaries are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates are sought who can perform outstanding research and teach relevant AE and ME courses.

Compensation Grade

Assistant Professor, tenure-track, 9-month

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit: Salary Schedules and select Academic Faculty (Engineering 9-month contract). Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested on your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual “A” or “B” contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR!

• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
• Generous sick leave, life insurance, and long-term disability – Faculty Benefit
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an annual or semester membership and family membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life’s difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner. Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Materials Engineering

The George W. Gillemot Aerospace Program was established in 2023 with a $36 million gift from the George W. Gillemot Foundation. It is housed in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Materials Engineering where our faculty focuses on advancing national efforts in space exploration, manufacturing, robotics, autonomous vehicles, as well as developing the systems and processes to best utilize our natural resources, including critical materials. School resources include access to the University’s High Performance Computing facility and the new $100-million William N. Pennington Engineering Building houses an ISO-5 (CLASS 100) cleanroom. In addition, the School is developing new Industrial Engineering facilities to support a Smart Factory/Flexible Manufacturing System learning environment, including space for industrial automation equipment, student work areas, vision systems, and related manufacturing and logistics training platforms.

About the College of Engineering

Join the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. We value faculty and staff as partners in our mission to deliver outstanding education, research and engagement. Our college seeks individuals committed to:

• Engaging in impactful outreach
• Providing state-of-the-art education
• Fostering respect, inclusiveness, and diversity

Nevada Engineering is a fast-growing college, with research expenditure that has doubled over the past nine years. Supported by an Engineering Research Office, the college recorded $24 million in expenditures in FY26 and offers professional development resources to ensure success. We offer bachelor’s, graduate degrees and certificates through three schools:

• Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science, Electrical, and Biomedical Engineering
• Mechanical, Industrial, and Materials Engineering

Our specialized facilities include the Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research, Cybersecurity Center, the Nanofabrication Lab in the Davidson Foundation Cleanroom and the Nevada Water Innovation Institute. Located near the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center and offering ready access to the bustling California economy, Nevada Engineering collaborates with leading tech firms and advance research in robotics, AI, battery technology, aerospace, water systems and sustainable energy. In Reno, you will find world-class outdoor recreation opportunities, including skiing, hiking, biking and water sports in nearby Lake Tahoe and throughout the northern Nevada region. Learn more at unr.edu/engineering