Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Mechatronics

Position Rank and Title: Tenure-track Assistant Professor—Mechatronics

School/Department Name: Mechanical Engineering

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank, in accordance with the CSU Salary Schedule. The anticipated annual salary range is 101,000–124,000.

Faculty benefits are competitive within higher education. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details.

Target Start Date: August 1, 2027

Application Deadline: December 31, 2026 (Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or the search is closed.)

Position Description

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at San José State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in mechatronics. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment and demonstrate expertise in one or more areas such as robotics, control systems, automation, physical AI, sensors, embedded systems, or human–machine interfaces.

The successful candidate will demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate students in classroom and hardware laboratory settings; developing an independent, externally funded research agenda; publishing in peer-reviewed journal and conference papers; and presenting at professional conferences. The candidate must also have strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills; demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a diverse student population; and contribute to the interdisciplinary strengths, infrastructure, and industry partnerships of SJSU’s mechatronics programs.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU Mechanical Engineering provides an exceptional setting for teaching, research, and collaboration. The department has strong programs in robotics and mechatronics, advanced manufacturing, thermal and energy systems, and mechanical design, supported by hands-on laboratories and interdisciplinary research. Its proximity and connections to Silicon Valley's technology, semiconductor, manufacturing, and emerging engineering industries create opportunities for faculty to develop industry partnerships, pursue applied research, and bring real-world engineering challenges into the classroom.

The Mechanical Engineering Department and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering field by the time of appointment.
• Ability to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in dynamics, robotics, mechatronics, and control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in mechatronics or a closely related field.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially, culturally, and economically diverse student population, as demonstrated through cross-cultural study, training, teaching, or comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Strong record of peer-reviewed publication.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in effective teaching and pedagogical methods.
• Experience with extramural research funding proposals.
• Experience with industry collaboration, especially related to mechatronics.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Experience leading or contributing to interdisciplinary projects in collaborative environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in mechatronics and related fields, including course preparation, assessment of learning outcomes, and continuous improvement of instructional methods.
• Conduct research, publish results in peer-reviewed venues, pursue external funding, and supervise student research.
• Collaborate with SJSU faculty, other universities, and/or industry partners on research and funding opportunities related to robotics, mechatronics, and physical AI.
• Participate in shared governance and professional service at the department, college, university, and professional levels.
• Organize courses and course materials in a university-supported learning management system (e.g., Canvas by Instructure) and comply with all university-mandated accessibility requirements.
• Support student success through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, advising, and mentorship that address the needs of students with diverse backgrounds, abilities, identities, and levels of academic preparation.

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest (maximum two pages).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Institutional Excellence Statement, either as a separate statement or incorporated into the letter of interest (maximum two pages).
• Statement of teaching interests and philosophy (maximum two pages).
• Research Interests and Future Plans (maximum two pages).
• Contact information for at least three references.

Applicants are encouraged to include an Institutional Excellence Statement, either separately or in the letter of interest, describing how their lived and professional experiences would contribute to the SJSU community, particularly student success. See the SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines for guidance.

Questions may be directed to the Department Chair, Hohyun Lee, at hohyun.lee@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to California Education Code 89521, applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of background and reference checks (including criminal records and prior employment) are required. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background and reference checks reveal disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background and reference checks may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 22-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.