Description

Position Type:
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Position Type:
Regular

Salary Range:

Hiring range is $113,443 - $125,976. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position comes with generous benefits (scu.edu/hr/benefits), including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and University contributions toward retirement. Recognizing the high cost of housing in the local area, there are two University housing assistance programs: Rental assistance to ease the transition into the local housing market, and housing purchase assistance for tenure-track faculty.

Purpose:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University seeks candidates for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in the broad area of thermo-fluids, with an effective appointment date of September 1, 2026. The Department has particular interest in candidates with specialties in areas such as thermo-fluid systems, heat transfer, and energy systems. Candidates are encouraged to consider how their work may contribute to advancing the priorities and vision outlined in Santa Clara University's Impact 2030 Strategic Plan. The Department also values those who foster collaboration across the department, school, and university, and who build partnerships with companies and organizations in Silicon Valley and beyond to create meaningful impact.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering and a minor and M.S. degree in aerospace engineering. Recognized among the top 15% of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU is a community of teacher-scholars whose work is grounded in the university's fundamental values. Those values, which include academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement, are infused with a culture of care that defines our community-upholding the dignity of all. The ideal candidate will express enthusiasm for teaching classes at all levels, mentoring and engaging students from different backgrounds in learning. We welcome candidates whose experience in teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our mission to educate leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion and cultivate knowledge and personal development to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world.

Qualifications for this position include:

• An earned doctorate in mechanical engineering or a closely related field is required by appointment start date.
• Demonstrated potential for and commitment to sustained high-quality research.
• Strong commitment and ability to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, to engage in curriculum development, and to explore effective and innovative pedagogy, which may include the use of emerging technologies such as AI and other modern educational tools.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from a broad range of backgrounds.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Developing a productive research program that engages students and produces high-quality publications.
• Teaching upper division undergraduate and graduate courses in areas of specialization, as well as lower division fundamental courses; curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Service to the department, school, university, and profession.

Applicants should submit the following documents:

1) A cover letter specific to this opportunity, describing how the applicant's background could enhance teaching and research in the department, as well as their experience or plans for strengthening community and belonging.

2) A detailed current CV, including a publication list.

3) A statement of research interests, accomplishments, and future directions or plans, which may also address potential collaborations within SCU and beyond as well as possible funding sources.

4) A statement of teaching interests, philosophy, and relevant experience. Candidates are also welcome to include additional evidence demonstrating teaching effectiveness.

5) Names and contact information of three professional references.

Start date: September 1, 2026

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2025, and continue until a suitable applicant is found; priority will be given to applications received by December 1, 2025.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408)554-5750.