Assistant (Tenure-Track) Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)

University of California - Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Irvine invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) with an emphasis on aero/space structures. The start date is anticipated for July 1, 2027, Irvine, CA.

The role spans experimental, computational, and theoretical work and invites leadership in a growing research area. Applicants should have a PhD in engineering or related field, a strong teaching record, and a plan for an externally funded program.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or closely related field by start date.
• Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Ability to develop externally funded research program.
• Experience in aero/space structures or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Establish a vigorous externally funded research program.
• Teach core structural mechanics and aerospace structures courses.
• Mentor students from diverse backgrounds.
• Contribute to department, university and profession through service.

Skills

Teaching experience

Research leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Graduate mentoring

Education

PhD in engineering or closely related field

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: The salary range for this position is $111,400 - $139,200. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table Salary scale "Off-scale salaries", i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Application Window

Open date: October 19, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Assistant (Tenure-Track) Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)

Faculty Position in

Aero/Space Structures

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is inviting applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor rank, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027.

The rapidly evolving landscape of aerospace engineering, driven by advances in next-generation aircraft, urban air mobility, hypersonic and high-speed vehicles, and ambitious space initiatives such as NASA's Artemis program, the United States Space Force, and the growing commercial space sector, calls for pioneering innovations in aerospace and space structures. Future air and space platforms will demand structures that are lighter, stronger, more adaptable, and more efficient than conventional approaches allow, spanning applications from high-performance airframes to deployable, in-orbit, and lunar/planetary structures.. To address these challenges, UCI's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering seeks exceptional applicants with demonstrated potential to become a leader in aero/space structures.

Areas of Interest span experimental, computational, and theoretical thrusts and include:

• Advanced structural concepts for air and space platforms, including deployable, reconfigurable, and morphing structures (origami- and kirigami-inspired, thin-shell composite, and tensegrity concepts), in-space manufacturing, and in-space/in-field robotic, modular, and autonomous assembly and repair of large-scale structures.
• Aerospace structures leveraging advanced composites and additive manufacturing, including AI-driven strategies for manufacturing, computational design and optimization, and adaptive or multifunctional structures with integrated actuation and sensing.
• Structural mechanics and life-cycle assessment of aircraft and spacecraft structures with emphasis on materials behavior and characterization, including fatigue, fracture, and damage tolerance, aeroelasticity, and structural health monitoring across airframe and space-structure applications with extreme thermal, mechanical, and/or dynamic loading.
• Emerging structural challenges in hypersonic, reusable, and autonomous platforms, including thermal-structural and aerothermoelastic response, and resilient, rapidly manufacturable structures for next-generation defense and space missions.
• Structural dynamics of large, flexible, and ultralight space structures, including pointing-error mitigation under attitude-control maneuvers.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 15, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

Documentation Required: Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, Statement of Research, Reflective Teaching Mentoring Statement, Publications (three publications or manuscripts), References (contact information only - 3 required). Reference letters will be requested at a later stage of candidates under serious consideration.

Qualifications

(required at time of application)

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in engineering or a closely related field by the start date of the position. Preference will be given to candidates with degrees in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or[a] interdisciplinary fields that align with the research areas described above.

The ideal candidate will build a vigorous, externally funded research program in aero/space structures and make scholarly contributions to the field through high-quality publications. They should also show a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching, including core courses in structural mechanics and aerospace structures and new courses in their area of expertise. In addition, the candidate is expected to mentor students from all backgrounds and help create a welcoming, collaborative environment for learning and research. Finally, they should serve the department, the university and the profession through committee work, professional societies and outreach.

Application Requirements

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - The cover letter should highlight three key publications.
• Statement of Research
• Service Statement
• Reflective Teaching and Mentoring Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement.
• Publications - Three sample publications.

Reference requirements:

• 3 required (contact information only)

Reference letters will be requested electronically at a later stage of review.

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affiant Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Irvine, CA