Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics

California State University, Chico; California; On-site; USD 101,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University’s Mechanical Engineering Department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Mechatronics with expertise in robotics, control systems, automation, and related areas. A Ph.D.

is required by appointment, and applicants should show potential for excellence in teaching and externally funded research. The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses, develop a robust research program, publish work, and contribute to interdisciplinary industry

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Ability to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in dynamics, robotics, mechatronics, and control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in mechatronics or related fields.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations and inclusive teaching.

Responsibilities

• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in mechatronics and related fields, including course preparation and assessment.
• Conduct research, publish in peer‑reviewed venues, pursue external funding, and supervise student research.
• Collaborate with faculty, other universities, and industry partners on robotics and mechatronics research and funding opportunities.
• Participate in shared governance and professional service at multiple levels.
• Organize courses and materials in a university LMS and ensure accessibility compliance.
• Support student success through inclusive teaching and mentorship.

Skills

Robotics

Control systems

Mechatronics

Automation

Embedded systems

Communication

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field

Job description

Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics

School/Department Name: Mechanical Engineering

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank, in accordance with the CSU Salary Schedule . The anticipated annual salary range is 101, 000–124,000.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2026 (Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the search is closed.)

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in mechatronics. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment and demonstrate expertise in one or more areas such as robotics, control systems, automation, physical AI, sensors, embedded systems, or human–machine interfaces.

The successful candidate will demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate students in classroom and hardware laboratory settings; developing an independent, externally funded research agenda; publishing in peer-reviewed journal and conference papers; and presenting at professional conferences. The candidate must also have strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills; demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a diverse student population; and contribute to the interdisciplinary strengths, infrastructure, and industry partnerships of SJSU’s mechatronics programs.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU Mechanical Engineering provides an exceptional setting for teaching, research, and collaboration. The department has strong programs in robotics and mechatronics, advanced manufacturing, thermal and energy systems, and mechanical design, supported by hands‑on laboratories and interdisciplinary research. Its proximity and connections to Silicon Valley's technology, semiconductor, manufacturing, and emerging engineering industries create opportunities for faculty to develop industry partnerships, pursue applied research, and bring real‑world engineering challenges into the classroom.

The Mechanical Engineering Department and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first‑generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher‑scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill‑building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering field by the time of appointment.
• Ability to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in dynamics, robotics, mechatronics, and control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in mechatronics or a closely related field.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially, culturally, and economically diverse student population, as demonstrated through cross‑cultural study, training, teaching, or comparable experience.

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publication.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in effective teaching and pedagogical methods.
• Experience with extramural research funding proposals.
• Experience with industry collaboration, especially related to mechatronics.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Experience leading or contributing to interdisciplinary projects in collaborative environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in mechatronics and related fields, including course preparation, assessment of learning outcomes, and continuous improvement of instructional methods.
• Conduct research, publish results in peer‑reviewed venues, pursue external funding, and supervise student research.
• Collaborate with SJSU faculty, other universities, and/or industry partners on research and funding opportunities related to robotics, mechatronics, and physical AI.
• Participate in shared governance and professional service at the department, college, university, and professional levels.
• Organize courses and course materials in a university‑supported, learning management system (e.g., Canvas by Instructure) and comply with all university‑mandated accessibility requirements.
• Support student success through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, advising, and mentorship that address the needs of students with diverse backgrounds, abilities, identities, and levels of academic preparation.

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID‑19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety‑related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at [e-mail].

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on‑campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at [e-mail].