Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Edinburg (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley invites applications for an Open-Rank Professor of Practice in Mechanical Engineering to begin Fall 2027 at the Brownsville campus. This non-tenure-track position emphasizes teaching excellence and industry-connected education.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and demonstrate a strong commitment to mentoring students, outreach, and collaboration with local industry and community colleges.

Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate courses across mechanical engineering disciplines at the Brownsville campus.
• Advise and mentor students; support outreach and recruitment initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering

Job Class Code:

FLSA:

Posting Number: FRGV2083

Location: Brownsville, Texas

Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs

Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position: 3 years

Tenure Status: Non Tenure Track

FTE: 1.0

Scope of Job:

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as a Professor of Practice of Mechanical Engineering beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year based at the Brownsville campus.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites applications for an Open-Rank Professor of Practice position (Assistant/Associate/Full depending on qualifications and experience), beginning Fall 2027, to support the department's continued growth and increasing student enrollment. The department currently serves over 1400 undergraduate and graduate students and includes 27 full-time faculty members dedicated to delivering high-quality education, impactful research, and meaningful student engagement through its ABET-accredited program. Before Fall 2026, the department only offered the first two years of undergraduate courses at the Brownsville campus. These positions are part of a strategic plan to expand to the delivery of the full four-year curriculum at the Brownsville campus. The successful candidate(s) will have the opportunity to help lead this expansion.

They will be responsible for teaching undergraduate courses across multiple mechanical engineering disciplines at the Brownsville campus. Additional responsibilities include advising and mentoring students, supporting outreach and recruitment initiatives, and building collaborations with local schools, community colleges, and industry partners.

Applicants should possess industry experience, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to practical, application-oriented teaching.

UTRGV is a Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to serving a diverse student population. The successful candidate will shape the growth of a young, dynamic mechanical engineering program at a high-impact public university, contribute to the Brownsville campus expansion, a cornerstone of UTRGV's regional development strategy, inspire a diverse new generation of engineers and leaders in South Texas, one of the nation's most rapidly developing regions, and collaborate with strong industry and government partners to design applied learning ecosystems that reflect real-world practice.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from an accredited university (at least conferred before the start date of September 1, 2027). Prospective candidates in all mechanical engineering areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:

Candidates at the Assistant Professor of Practice level (non-tenure-track) position will be considered based on demonstrated potential to enhance the teaching, service, and capabilities of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Preferred Qualification:

Experienced in teaching a broad range of undergraduate mechanical engineering courses, from lower to upper-level, encompassing thermal-fluids, mechanics, and design (e.g., thermal fluids sequence, computer aided design and engineering design sequence).

Salary:

Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

License or Certification Required?:

No

Number of Vacancies:

3

Desired Start Date:

09/01/2027

EEO Statement:

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date:

10/21/2026

Additional Information:

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215.

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English todemonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-basedtest score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test ofEnglish as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

For additional information, please visit UTRGV website. For hybrid / remote arrangements, please contact UTRGV HR.