Assistant Professor in Automotive Engineering

National Society for Black Engineers; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Automotive Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The department seeks candidates with expertise in vehicle dynamics, controls, autonomous vehicles, electric/hybrid powertrains, and/or automotive manufacturing.

The successful candidate will teach, supervise MS theses and capstone projects, and build an active research program in automotive and mobility systems.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or closely related field; ABDs considered, doctorate must be completed by appointment date.
• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in automotive eng., vehicle dynamics & control, machine design, manufacturing, or related fields.
• Evidence of research publications in peer‑reviewed journals and/or conferences within the past three years.
• Preferred: demonstrated engagement with diverse student body and experience with inclusive pedagogy; ABET‑accreditation experience; postdoctoral or industry experience; grant funding potential.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in automotive engineering and mobility systems.
• Supervise MS theses and capstone design projects; provide academic and professional advisement.
• Develop and lead active research programs in areas such as propulsion, complex automotive systems, or vehicle automation.
• Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and department/service activities.
• Maintain an externally funded research program and participate in scholarly activities with students.

Skills

Teaching undergrad/grad

Vehicle dynamics & control

Automotive research

ABET/curriculum development

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Assistant Professor of Automotive Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering #27-25

Job no: 563264
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Northridge
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Engineering

Tenure-Track Faculty Position Announcement

Department:Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Hire Number: #27-25

Rank:Assistant Professor

Effective Date of Appointment: Aug 19, 2027(Subject to Budgetary Approval)

Anticipated Hiring Range: $100,000 to $110,000 (Dependent upon qualifications)

CSUN’s Commitment to You:

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

As a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), inclusiveness and diversity are integral to CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. As of Fall 2025, CSUN enrolls 36,960 students, where 57.5% are Latinx, 18.4% are White, 8.5% are Asian-American, 5.5% are Black/African American, 0.1% are Native American, and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

For more information about the University, visit: http://www.csun.edu

About the College:

For more information about the Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering & Computer Science, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/college

About the Department:

For more information about the Department of Mechanical Engineering, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/mechanical-engineering

Position:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in automotive engineering at the rank of Assistant Professor. The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in automotive systems with emphasis in one or more of the following areas: vehicle dynamics, vehicle controls, autonomous vehicles, electric/hybrid powertrains, and/or automotive manufacturing.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses and conduct research in automotive and mobility systems. Candidates must demonstrate a specialization in either experimental methodologies or computational analysis and simulation of complex models. They are expected to develop and lead an active research program in areas such as advanced vehicle propulsion systems, the design and integration of complex automotive systems, or vehicle automation.

Teaching responsibilities include classroom instruction and participating in and/or supervising capstone student design projects. Candidates are also expected to supervise MS theses and provide academic and professional advisement to both undergraduate and graduate students. Initiating and maintaining creative scholarly activities, as well as an externally funded research program, are also expected. Active participation in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and other departmental activities, along with involvement in professional and student organizations (e.g., ASME, SAE, AIAA) is a normative expectation. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate experience or a willingness to pursue evidence-based approaches that promote the retention of students from culturally diverse backgrounds.

In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in the assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate may be required to teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online and will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which he/she/they is/are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. ABDs will be considered, but doctorate must be completed by the date of appointment.
• An undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution, or demonstrated equivalent preparation.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate course(s), in person and/or online, in the area of automotive engineering, vehicle dynamics and control, machine design, manufacturing, or related fields.
• Demonstrated evidence of research in automotive engineering, vehicle dynamics and control, machine design, manufacturing, or related fields.
• Evidence of research publications in the areas mentioned in peer-reviewed journals and/or conference proceedings within the past three years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of effective engagement OR potential to engage with a diverse student body.
• Experience using culturally responsive pedagogy that leads to equitable outcomes for all students.
• Experience creating a student-centered learning environment.
• Research/Lab experience that includes working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience adopting inclusive approaches to mentoring.
• Academic (teaching or research) experience at an ABET-accredited institution.
• Postdoctoral or industry experience.
• A record of receiving grant funding or potential for receiving external funding from government agencies, private companies, and/or scientific societies.

Application Deadline:

The preferred application deadline is November 20, 2026, and applications received after this date may be considered on an as-needed basis. However, the position will remain open until filled.

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: 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.

General Information:

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Northridge has made crime-reporting statistics available online here. Print copies are available by request from the Department of Police Services, the Office for Faculty Affairs, and the Office of Equity and Diversity.

The person holding this position may be 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.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be 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.

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 and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Department of Mechanical Engineering at 818-677-2187.