Utah State University - 12 - Month, Tenure-Track position

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Utah State University (USU) invites applicants for a full-time Department Head with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. The MAE Department Head is responsible for strategic and visionary leadership to support USU's land- and space-grant mission including leadership of teaching, research, and service activities in a dynamic and ambitious department within the College of Engineering. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research, mentoring, and service. MAE seeks a Department Head that can broaden the department's engagements with USU's Space Dynamics Laboratory (a University Affiliated Research Center), national labs and other federal and industrial partners; collaborate with other departments and colleges; and interact collegially with faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and the community. This is a 12-month tenured position that reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field. Candidate experience should be commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor in MAE at USU. Applicants need to have demonstrated expertise in a relevant area of mechanical and aerospace engineering including but not limited to fluid dynamics, combustion and propulsion, flight mechanics, advanced air mobility, space dynamics, hypersonic flow, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials including composites, nuclear materials characterization, thermal hydraulics, controls, systems engineering, and computational modeling. Candidates should have a strong track record of research funding, teaching, service, mentorship, peer-reviewed publications or other research outputs, engagement with a broad array of partners, and a background in strong core fundamentals that allow them to work across multidisciplinary areas.

For full consideration, applications should be submitted no later than November 30, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Promote an ambitious vision and mission for the department consistent with the vision and mission of the College and University.
• Mentor the department's faculty members in their teaching, research, and service activities.
• Oversee curriculum development and delivery, assess educational outcomes, and accreditation.
• Monitor the administrative, financial, and space management components of the department.
• Raise extramural funds in support of the department's teaching, research, and service activities, and promote the development of research centers.
• Engage productively with academic, industrial, and government partners to advance an ambitious and impactful research and training programs.
• Enhance recognition of the department on national and international stages.
• Lead new faculty recruitment efforts and facilitate processes related to recruitment, promotion, and tenure.
• Actively participate in assigned college, university, and external duties.
• Serve as a catalyst for attracting and supporting undergraduate and graduate students.
• Participate in interdisciplinary efforts with other departments and initiatives at USU.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated achievements appropriate for appointment at the Full Professor level.
• A strong background in engineering fundamentals.
• Evidence of success as a Principal Investigator or leader of an independent research program.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals or other measures of research outcomes.
• Ability to engage industry partners and connect curriculum to the practice of engineering in the field.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability to teach, inspire, and mentor faculty and students.
• Ability to obtain a United States DoD Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active United States DoD or DoE Security Clearance
• Positive experience in research with demonstrated success in program development and leadership.
• Extensive experience in higher education and a commitment to the education mission of the college.
• Demonstrated ability to engage productively with external research, training, and service partners
• Experience working on multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience in developing high-impact experiential learning curricula.
• Record of involvement in seeking extramural funding.
• Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam or earned a Professional Engineering license.

Job offer will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
• Cover Letter describing your qualifications for the position and our vision of the role to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10"
• Contact information for 3 professional references to be added to your Candidate Profile
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6700364

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov