Assistant Professor of Automotive Systems Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering #26-07

Tenure-Track Faculty Position Announcement

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Hire Number: #26-07

Rank: Assistant Professor

Effective Date of Appointment: August 19, 2026 (Subject to Budgetary Approval)

Anticipated Hiring Range: $105,000 - $110,000 (Dependent upon qualifications)

CSUN’s Commitment to You:

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning, and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community, and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

As a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), inclusiveness and diversity are integral to CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. As of Fall 2025, CSUN enrolls 36,960 students, where 57.5% are Latinx, 18.4% are White, 8.5% are Asian-American, 5.5% are Black/African American, 0.1% are Native American, and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. 

For more information about the University, visit: http://www.csun.edu

About the College:

For more information about the Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering & Computer Science, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/college

About the Department:

For more information about the Department of Mechanical Engineering, see: https://www.csun.edu/engineering-computer-science/mechanical-engineering

Position:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in systems engineering at the rank of Assistant Professor. The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in automotive systems with emphasis in one or more of the following areas: vehicle dynamics, autonomous vehicles, electric/hybrid powertrains, advanced manufacturing, and/or vehicle controls.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses and have research interests in automotive and mobility systems engineering. Candidates must demonstrate a specialization in either experimental methodologies or computational analysis and simulation of complex models. They are expected to develop and lead an effective research program in areas such as advanced vehicle propulsion systems, the design and integration of complex automotive systems, or vehicle automation.

Teaching responsibilities include instructing, participating in, and supervising capstone student design projects. Candidates are expected to supervise MS theses and provide academic and professional advisement to both undergraduate and graduate students. Initiating and maintaining creative scholarly activities, as well as an externally funded research program, are also expected. Active and effective participation in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and other departmental activities, along with involvement in professional and student organizations (e.g., ASME, ASEE), is a normative expectation. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate experience or a willingness to pursue evidence-based approaches that promote the retention of students from culturally diverse backgrounds.

In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate may be required to teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online and will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which he/she/they is/are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.

Required Qualifications:  

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution (Doctorate must be completed by the date of appointment)
• An undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engin