Learning Assistant/Tutor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Academic Year2026-2027 (Anticipated)

University of California Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Merced invites applications for a Learning Assistant/Tutor in the Mechanical Engineering department. The position supports undergraduate students by facilitating active learning, guiding in-class discussions, and assisting with problem-solving during laboratories and lectures.

Ideal candidates are good listeners and communicators who enjoy teaching and helping others learn. The role aligns with the academic year 2026-2027, with anticipated start dates and course coverage

Qualifications

• Good listener and communicator, with a genuine interest in helping others learn.
• Interest in teaching and learning enhancement.

Responsibilities

• Assist groups of students during class to help them engage with challenging course materials.
• Manage in-class discussions and promote interaction among students to support active learning.

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Learning Assistant/Tutor in Mechanical Engineering.

Salary range: See Table 20 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $28.52 per hour.

Anticipated start:Anticipated start date per below:Academic Year: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027Fall Semester: 8/1/2026 - 12/31/2026Spring Semester: 1/1/2027 - 5/31/2027

Position duration: Duration through Academic Year 2026-2027

Application Window

Open date: May 6, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Thursday, May 6, 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

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department in the School of Engineering anticipates hiring multiple instructional learning assistants/tutors for the following courses for Academic Year 2026-2027:

• AE 001: Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (Fall 2026 only)
• AE 171: Aerospace Structures and Materials (Spring 2027 only)
• AE 172: Flight Dynamics and Control (Fall 2026 only)
• AE 173: Aerospace Propulsion (Spring 2027 only)
• AE 174: Aeroelasticity (Fall 2026 only)
• AE 175: Aerospace Design (Fall 2026 only)
• ENGR 57: Statics and Dynamics
• ENGR 65: Circuit Theory
• ENGR 120: Fluid Mechanics (Spring 2027 only)
• ENGR 130: Thermodynamics
• ENGR 135: Heat Transfer
• ENGR 151: Strength of Materials
• ENGR 193: Engineering Capstone Design I
• ENGR 194: Engineering Capstone Design II
• ENGR 270: Intro to Electron Microscopy
• ME 001: Intro to Mechanical Engr
• ME 021: Engineering Computing
• ME 120: Component Design
• ME 121: Introduction to Manufacturing (Spring 2027)
• ME 135: Finite Element Analysis (Spring 2027)
• AE/ME 136: Aerodynamics (Spring 2027)
• ME 137: Computer Aided Engineering
• ME140: Vibration and Control
• ME 143: Unmanned Aerial Systems (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 144: Intro to Multi-body Dynamics (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 149: Novel Technologies in Agriculture (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 152: Digital Twins (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 190: Automotive Control Systems II (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 202: Transport Phenomena (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 210: Linear Multivariable Control (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 220: Continuum Mechanics (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 229: Tribology (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 231: Conduction Heat Transfer (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 244: Computational Multi-body Dynamics (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 254: Computational Fluid Dynamics (Fall 2026 only)
• ME 261: Energy Storage (Spring 2027 only)
• ME 280: Fractional Order Mechanics (Fall 2026 only)
• Other courses as needed

See catalog for course description.

A Learning Assistant works with groups of students on challenging course materials during class time. As a Learning Assistant, you will play a crucial role in contributing to the experience of students in engineering. The learning assistant will be responsible for helping students in actively learning in classrooms by managing in-class discussions and promoting interaction among students. This job is ideal for someone who is a good listener and communicator, wants to help others learn, interested in learning more about teaching