Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics

San José State University; San Jose (CA); 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 with expertise in mechatronics. Applicants must hold a Ph.D.

in mechanical engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment and should demonstrate expertise in robotics, control systems, automation, or related areas. The successful candidate will teach undergrad and grad courses, develop an externally funded research program, publish in peer‑reviewed venues,

Qualifications

• 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 a socially, culturally, and economically diverse student population.

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.

Skills

Mechatronics

Robotics

Control systems

Teaching dynamics

Education

Ph.D. in mechanical engineering

Job description

Job no: 562966
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Engineering, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Position Rank and Title: Tenure-track Assistant Professor—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.

Faculty benefits are competitive within higher education. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details.

Target Start Date: August 1, 2027

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

Position Description

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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.