Assistant Professor (Space Systems

The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has also been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online, on UT San Antonio Today or on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (Klesse College)

The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (Klesse College) is home to more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 9 undergraduate, 15 Masters, and 6 PhD degree programs. The college is supported by over 165 tenure/tenure-track and fixed-term faculty and a dedicated cadre of staff. Each of the Klesse College's five units brings unique value for advancing its mission—these include the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering as well as the Schools of Architecture & Urban Planning, Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management. Klesse College is also home to 10 research institutions and centers, a student success center, a Large-scale Testing Laboratory, and a Makerspace, supporting research through research and discovery as well as educational excellence. Collectively, these students, faculty, and staff within Klesse College support Klesse College's mission to identify and solve grand challenges where humanity intersects the physical world. Klesse College educational programs are accredited by ABET, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), and the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). For more information about Klesse College, please visit https://klesse.utsa.edu/.

Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering

The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering currently has 26 full-time tenured/tenure-track faculty (6 endowed chairs), 7 full-time non-tenure track faculty, and 1,100 undergraduate, 55 M.S., and 63 Ph.D. students, with the doctoral program jointly offered by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). In addition to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Aerospace Engineering, and an M.S. degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering, the B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering is ABET accredited. UTSA is committed to growth in student opportunities, as indicated by the $95 million Science and Engineering building completed in summer 2020. Additional information about the Department can be found at https://klesse.utsa.edu/mechanical/.

Salary Range: Competitive, commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications.

Job Type: Full Time

Position Summary

The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) invites applications for a tenure-track position to be filled by August 2027. The Department is looking for outstanding individuals at the Assistant Professor level with demonstrated research expertise who can help the department strengthen its teaching and research programs. Applicants are sought in the broad areas of space systems and astronautics. Subfields of interest include but are not limited to: cubesats/nanosats, smallsats, spacecraft design, in-space propulsion, space mission design & optimization, and astrodynamics. The successful candidates are expected to build successful, externally funded research programs in collaboration with other units in the department, the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, the College of Sciences, the Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE), the National Security Collaboration Center, School of Data Science, and across the University. The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering recently began offering degrees and certificates in Aerospace Engineering with current expertise in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, computational fluid dynamics, and materials. UT San Antonio also has partnerships and a joint PhD program with Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, the lead organization for a variety of NASA missions including Juno, New Horizons, Lucy, and PUNCH. Further, UT San Antonio faculty are involved in the early planning process for NASA's next-generation flagship space telescope, the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Applicants that can successfully leverage these resources while demonstrating a creative vision for original research are particularly encouraged to apply. The incumbent must be able to (1) develop an externally funded and internationally recognized research program; (2) supervise graduate students; (3) teach undergraduate and graduate classes in MAIE; (4) work with others across disciplinary boundaries; and (5) serve the department, college, and the university.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates should have a conferred Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field by the time of employment.
• Expertise in all areas of space systems and astronautics including cubesats/nanosats, smallsats, spacecraft design, in-space propulsion, space mission design & optimization, and astrodynamics will be considered.
• The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate a record of leadership in high quality, collaborative research, and an excellent scholarship record of external funding.
• Record of developing scholarly products that are critical to advancing research with an emphasis on aerospace and astronautics.
• Evidence of service to the university, field, or profession through leadership in the aerospace field.
• This position may require the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure per Texas EO-GA-48.

Application Process

To apply, applicants must upload the following in a single PDF document:

• A current curriculum vitae.
• Letter of interest that briefly summarizes the candidate's expertise and qualifications for the position (1-page limit).
• Complete contact information for at least three professional references.
• A research statement (5-page limit).
• A teaching statement (2-page limit).
• Sample publications (optional, maximum of two).

Tenure is contingent upon Board of Regents approval, and applicants must show a demonstrated commitment.

Review of applications will begin on November 16, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by November 13, 2026. Interested candidates must apply through the UT San Antonio Career Site.

Posting Close Date: Applications will be accepted until filled. At the discretion of the hiring department, this posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

This position will work primarily on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility.

This position is contingent upon a successful background check. Verification of a valid driver's license and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) may be completed as applicable. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination.