Job Opportunities
The Department of Aerospace Engineering at San Diego State University (SDSU) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank. The candidate is expected to teach aerospace engineering courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and conduct cutting edge, externally funded research. An earned doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field is required. A strong preference will be given to applicants who conduct research in topics related to:
- In-space manufacturing
- On-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing
- In situ resource utilization
- Deep-space infrastructure
- Additive manufacturing for space applications
- Flexible space structures
- Deployable space structures
- Structures for extreme environments
The current areas of expertise of the Department faculty include aerodynamics, computational and experimental fluid mechanics, propulsion, aerospace structures, aeroelasticity, non-destructive evaluation, guidance and control, and astrodynamics. Candidates that complement the existing department research programs and can collaborate are desired. The Department offers BS and MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering and PhD degrees through Joint Doctoral Programs between San Diego State University and the University of California San Diego.
Applicants should demonstrate potential to establish a high-quality extramurally-funded research program, excel at teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and work collaboratively with colleagues as a team member to advance the program. Recent graduates as well as those with industrial or university experience are welcome to apply.
The Department of Aerospace Engineering has nationally and internationally recognized research programs. A comprehensive aero lab consisting of a mid-size low speed wind tunnel, a Mach number 4.5 supersonic wind tunnel, and a pressurized water tunnel equipped with state-of-the-art flow diagnostic systems are operated within the department. Alumni from the department are among top aircraft designers in the nation. The department actively engages undergraduate students in faculty research and promotes extra-curricular professional activities as evident in high rankings achieved in the AIAA Design Build and Fly competition and the successful rocket launches by the student-run SDSU Rocket Project.
The College of Engineering is the fastest growing of SDSU’s seven Colleges. The city of San Diego enjoys a renowned mild climate year-round and is a family-friendly urban environment. The metropolitan area is the hub of several leading industries, including major defense contractors and aerospace companies. San Diego and Southern California offer exceptional opportunities for research partnerships with the extensive local aerospace industry. For additional information about the department and the university, please visit
http://aerospace.sdsu.edu and http://www.sdsu.edu.
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the surrounding area. It is the third largest university in the state of California. The highly diverse campus community has a student population of over 36,000 and approximately 6000 faculty and staff. SDSU is currently designated as a Doctoral/Research-Intensive University by the Carnegie Foundation. SDSU is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. SDSU is committed to building an academic environment that embraces and promotes diversity among its students, faculty, and employees and our community. Women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (1) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (2) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (3) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (4) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (5) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (6) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (7) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (8) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in your cover letter how you meet at least two or more of these criteria.
Review of the applications will begin on January 13, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Expected start date is August 2025. Applicants should apply via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/154746. Inquiries may be directed to Prof. Luciano Demasi, Search Committee Chair, [email protected].
The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule for Assistant Professors / Associate Professors / Professors and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. The anticipated salary range is from $105,000 to $108,000. Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, and salaries higher than the published maximums may be offered in limited circumstances. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.
As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct
background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.
The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) provides graduate students with part-time employment and practical experience in fields related to their advanced study. They provide professional non-teaching assistance to faculty members. GRA work typically consist of performing research tasks in a specific funded project. The availability of GRA depends on individual faculty. Please contact the faculty members for inquiries
Graders are hired by the department to work outside their degree pursuits and may be hired for a limited number of hours in any particular semester. Graders generally perform such tasks as grading and procuring exams, general classroom assistance, administrative assistance to the professor including entering grades, record keeping, and office hours, and serving as lab assistants. It is desirable that the grader for a course has taken the course before and earned a grade of B and above. Graduate students have priority when other qualifications are similar. Please send inquiries to the Department Chair with your information/qualifications and the courses you are interested in grading for. Part-Time Lecturer Positions The Department from time to time has the needs for part-time lectuerers to teach courses in the program.
SDSU Aerospace Engineering department is looking for lecturers to supplement its regular faculty in teaching aerospace engineering courses. If you are a working engineer or a recent retiree from Aerospace industry with expertise in aerospace engineering, living in San Diego and interested in teaching please contact us. This will be an opportunity for you to give back to your profession and connect with, educate and mentor the next generation of aerospace engineers.
See below link for more details.
https://careers.sdsu.edu/en-
