Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Case; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University’s Case School of Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in Cleveland, OH. The successful candidate will establish an externally funded, internationally recognized research program and contribute to undergraduate and graduate education while engaging with industry and national laboratories.

Outstanding candidates at the Assistant Professor rank will be considered with an anticipated start

Qualifications

• Earned PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or closely related field by the start date.
• Excellent academic record.
• Vision for an innovative and societally relevant research program aligned with the department's priorities.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring; for tenure-track, strong track record in teaching and mentoring.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Establish a funded, internationally recognized research program.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor students and contribute to curriculum development.
• Engage in departmental, school, university and professional-society service.
• Collaborate across the university and with external partners, including industry and national laboratories.

Education

PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or closely related field

Job description

Case Western Reserve University: Case School of Engineering (FAC): Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (FAC)

Location

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

Open Date

Oct 09, 2026

Description

Overview

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) invites applications for a Tenure-Track faculty position in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Desired areas of expertise include computational solid mechanics, particularly for aerospace applications, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled constitutive modeling for high-strain-rate deformation, hypersonic aerothermal effects, and mechanics of materials in extreme environments.

Outstanding candidates at the Assistant Professor rank will be considered for an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

This position is part of an ambitious faculty hiring plan this year within the Case School of Engineering and is in support of the President’s and Provost’s Faculty 100 Initiative to hire at least 100 new tenure and tenure-track faculty at Case Western Reserve University ( https://case.edu/provost/initiatives/faculty-100 ) by 2028 in areas that address global challenges.

The MAE department at CWRU has a renowned history of scholarly activities that encompass a broad range of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, from microgravity to biologically inspired robotics, biomechanics, point-of-care biosensing, additive and hybrid manufacturing, artificial intelligence/machine learning for data analytics, learning-enabled control, thermal management, hypersonic aerodynamics, fire science and engineering, and computational fluid dynamics.

About Us

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a leading private research university, located in Cleveland’s vibrant University Circle. The university is known for its strengths in interdisciplinary research, academic excellence, and collaboration with world-renowned healthcare, cultural, and industry partners. In 2026, CWRU was named to the Forbes’ “New Ivies” list. CWRU’s research expenditures trajectory also earned the #1 spot as the fastest-growing research university in the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Under the leadership of CWRU President Eric W. Kaler, the university is guided by three institutional priorities: to elevate academic excellence, expand the research enterprise and enhance community engagement and impact. The university is celebrating its bicentennial this year with the opening of a new $300 million interdisciplinary science and engineering building, intended to foster greater collaboration across disciplines to improve the world.

The Case School of Engineering is a major driver of innovation, discovery, and translational impact at Case Western Reserve. The school is known for excellence in both foundational and applied research, with strengths spanning biomedical engineering, computer and data sciences, materials, energy, robotics, manufacturing, human health, and emerging technologies. Faculty benefit from strong institutional support for research and innovation, as well as extensive opportunities to collaborate across the university and with major external partners including NASA Glenn Research Center, hospital affiliates (including the Cleveland Clinic), regional industry, and national laboratories. Faculty in the Case School of Engineering are encouraged to pursue joint appointments with external partners as well as other exchange opportunities such as industry-based sabbaticals. The school is at the forefront of CWRU’s new National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine, NEO-SMART, backed by an NSF investment of up to $160M over 10 years with well over 70 partners across Northeast Ohio. The school’s educational mission is equally distinctive, emphasizing experiential learning and student mentorship.

Faculty are supported in their research pursuits through advanced instrumentation in shared facilities, advanced research computing resources, research centers and institutes, and strong administrative support for proposal development and grants management. Faculty are supported in their pursuit of teaching excellence and engineering educational innovations through the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education. CWRU also offers outstanding opportunities for pursuing entrepreneurship and translational research. The university supports innovation through resources for intellectual property development, commercialization, startup creation, and strategic partnerships, enabling faculty to extend the reach of their research from discovery to societal benefit.

CWRU's 267-acre campus is in the heart of Cleveland’s University Circle, one of the nation’s top arts districts and within walking distance of three major hospitals. Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs are known for their affordable, high-quality of life, with access to great schools, recreation options, and a vibrant community.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Establish and sustain an externally funded and internationally recognized research program.
• Contribute to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education through teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and contributing to curriculum development and innovations.
• Participate in departmental, school, university, and professional-society service.
• Engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary activities across the university and with external partners - including industry and national laboratories.

Salary & Benefits

The annual starting base (academic year) salary range for this position is from $105,000 – $120,000. CWRU considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and paid time off. For more details on CWRU’s benefits, see https://case.edu/hr/benefits .

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• An earned PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field by the start date.
• An excellent academic record.
• A clearly articulated vision for an innovative and societally relevant research program aligned with the strategic priorities of the department, and the skills to implement that vision.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching and commitment to effective mentoring and student success, and if being considered for a tenured position, a strong track record of excellence in both teaching and mentoring.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral, industrial, or other relevant research experience beyond the Ph.D.
• Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at [e-mail] . Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.