"Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering"

Job Details

Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering

Job Class Code:

FLSA:

Posting Number: FRGV1909

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 2026, 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. At present, the department only offers 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 substantial 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.

For priority consideration, applications must be received by December 31, 2025. Applications will continue to be reviewed until positions are filled. A complete application will include the following required documents: Curriculum Vitae, Unofficial Transcripts, List of 3 References, Letter of Interest, Research Statement (including highlights of major project, industry collaborations), and Teaching Philosophy (including how you incorporate applied/industry-relevant learning and mentoring).

About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. UTRGV website.

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, 2026). 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., dynamic modeling and analysis sequence, computer aided design and engineering design sequence).

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

License or Certification Required?: No

Number of Vacancies: 2

Desired Start Date: 09/01/2026

Open Date: 11/03/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants: All applications must be submitted via the UTRGV application portal at https://careers.utrgv.edu. Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.