Assistant Professor of Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering

AIAA; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering within the Department of Aerospace Engineering. The successful candidate will teach a range of courses, contribute to vehicle and systems design, mentor students, and develop new curriculum while pursuing external funding.

Begins Fall 2027. First consideration will be given to applications received by October 15, 2026.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely aligned field from an accredited university.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate aerospace engineering courses across the curriculum.
• Support the senior design sequence and project-based learning activities.
• Develop new curriculum and learning experiences in aerospace design and systems engineering.
• Establish an active scholarly program and pursue external funding.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and participate in service to department and university.

Skills

Aircraft design

Systems engineering

MBSE

Teaching

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or closely aligned field

Job description

Tenure Track Faculty Position
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering
Department of Aerospace Engineering
College of Engineering
Salary Range: $107,312 - 111,312

The Aerospace Engineering Department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, invites applications for one tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning in Fall 2027. We seek candidates with expertise in Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering, with a particular interest in aircraft design and the design of complex aerospace systems. The successful candidate will teach lower-division, upper-division, and graduate courses in aerospace engineering, with expected contributions to aircraft design, spacecraft design, systems engineering, and other design-oriented areas of the curriculum. The candidate will also support the department’s senior design sequence and other project-based learning activities, develop new curriculum and learning experiences in aerospace design and systems engineering, and establish an active scholarly program in their area of expertise. Additional responsibilities include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, pursuing external funding, participating in department, college, and university service, and supporting the department’s polytechnic, hands‑on educational mission.

First consideration will be given to completed applications received by October 15, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee. Applications accepted only via PageUp—online application portal—for University hires.

Please direct inquiries to:

Faculty Search Committee Chair
Dr. Navid Nakhjiri
Aerospace Engineering Department
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Email: [e-mail]

Minimum requirements include:

A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely aligned field from an accredited university. The degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Academic experience or strength in Aerospace Design and Systems Engineering, with particular interest in:
  • Aircraft design,
  • design of complex aerospace systems,
  • Systems engineering,
  • Model based systems engineering (MBSE).
• Demonstrated ability or potential for teaching undergraduate and graduate aerospace engineering courses and developing design-oriented curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability or potential for authoring peer-reviewed publications, securing external funding, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate student research.
• Industrial, government, or professional experience in aerospace engineering, aircraft design, systems engineering, or related areas.
  A bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Strong communication skills.

Application Process:

A completed application will consist of:

• Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications;
  Curriculum vitae;
• Teaching Philosophy statement (2-page max) that addresses Cal Poly Pomona’s commitment to excellence in education (see above).
• Research Statement (2-page max);
• The names and contact information for at least three individuals that can serve as references;
• Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, official transcripts will be required of finalists)
• Applicants should review the list of undergraduate and graduate Aerospace Engineering courses in the Cal Poly Pomona University Catalog: https://catalog.cpp.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=78&ent_oid=6316. Based on this course list, applicants should submit a brief statement or table identifying: (a) courses they are prepared to teach with minimal preparation, (b) courses they would be able to teach with some additional preparation, and (c) new courses they would be interested in developing for the Department.

Finalists for the position will be required to:

• Provide official transcripts for the highest degree before the on-campus interview.
• Provide three letters of reference dated within the last two years.
• Create a presentation showcasing scholarly work and a teaching demonstration for faculty and students.