"Professor of Practice and Assistant/Associate Professor"

Job Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the official document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is searching for outstanding applicants to fill up to one (1) tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor rank (Position number: 198029) and one (1) Professor of Practice (POP) position at all ranks (Position numbers: 715841) by Fall 2026.

Preference for the tenure-track faculty position will be placed on applicants with research expertise in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering in the following areas.

• Position No. 198029: Spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), space trajectory optimization; autonomy for space systems; space robotics and in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing; and spacecraft instrumentation and computing.

Preference for the POP position will be as follows.

• Position No. 715841: A PhD degree in AE or closely related field is required. For candidates with MSAE degree, minimum 10 years of relevant industrial experience would be required. The candidate must be able to teach A E 362 Orbital Mechanics, A E 363 Aerospace Structures, A E 364 Flight Dynamics and Controls, and A E 424 Aerospace Systems Engineering.

The tenure-track candidates need to show potential to aggressively leverage opportunities at the state and federal levels, to develop and grow an impactful and sustainable research program. All candidates are expected to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses. The candidates should demonstrate a plan for successful collaborations with other faculty, both inside and outside NMSU, that fosters cross-disciplinary research.

NMSU is a land- and space-grant institution with a student population that exceeds 15,000. NMSU is classified as Carnegie R1: a Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity and as a Community Engagement institution with a large body of Hispanic and Native American students. The MAE department has strong undergraduate and graduate programs that continue to grow. The department offers B.S., M.S., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in both Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Its location in Southern New Mexico is unique and puts the MAE department in close vicinity to the White Sands Missile Range, NASA-Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Holloman and Kirtland AFBs, and Spaceport America. The MAE department collaborates with the NMSU Physical Science Laboratory (a SCIF), which operates one of the largest FAA Flight Test Centers in the nation. Famous for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and historic Mesilla, a healthy climate, and affordable and safe living, Las Cruces with its strong Southwestern culture is an attractive choice to build a successful career.

Responsibilities of an MAE Assistant/Associate Professor include:

• Developing an internationally-renowned, externally and competitively-funded, independent research program,
• Teaching and developing undergraduate and graduate-level courses,
• Advising students at undergraduate and graduate levels, and
• Participating in MAE shared governance processes and service activities.

The positions are for a 9-month appointment that will include a competitive salary and startup package. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s prior experience and qualifications. All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of the individual’s eligibility for employment in the US and upon the successful completion of applicable background reviews.

Required Qualifications for Tenure-Track Applicants:

• Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field,
• Proven capacity or clear potential to successfully secure competitive research funding,
• Demonstrated ability to produce scholarly archival publications,
• Expression of a strong dedication to undergraduate and graduate-level teaching, and
• Commitment to inclusiveness for all students in teaching, learning, and advising.

Required Qualifications for POP Applicants:

• Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field,
• Candidates with MSAE degree require a minimum of 10 years of relevant industrial experience.
• Expression of a strong dedication to undergraduate and / or graduate-level teaching, and
• Commitment to inclusiveness for all students in teaching, learning, and advising.

Applications must be received by December 19, 2025, for full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the positions have been filled. Applicants should submit the following documents: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) teaching interests and philosophy statement (2 pages max.), (4) research plan (4 pages max., only for tenure-track positions), and (5) the names and contact information for three professional references.

Applications are to be submitted electronically via https://careers.nmsu.edu/jobs/professor-of-practice-las-cruces-new-mexico-united-states-86dabb84-50d0-43a1-b640-b2edd08c142c or https://careers.nmsu.edu/jobs/assistant-associate-professor-las-cruces-new-mexico-united-states-4cfd4412-3f68-48d2-97cf-be4df95f84aa. The position numbers are 198029 and 715841, respectively.