California State University, Fresno
Lyles College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
https://fresnostate.edu/engineering/mechanical

Mechanical Engineering (Two Tenure-Track Positions)

Tenure Track

Assistant Professor

Fall 2026 (August 2026)

Positions Summary

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Lyles College of Engineering at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) invites applications for two tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor rank with a Fall 2026 start date. Both positions are academic-year appointments.

Position 1: Engineering Design, Numerical Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Position 2: Mechanics, Manufacturing, and Automation

Responsibilities include:

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses including laboratories in mechanical engineering and related fields;
• Develop and/or teach courses and/or laboratories in:
• Design, numerical analysis, machine learning and AI (Position 1), or
• Mechanics, robotics, automation and process control, materials, and/or manufacturing areas (Position 2)
• Be actively engaged in teaching, advising, research and scholarly work, professional development, and service activities;
• Initiate a viable research program and publish in refereed journals and refereed conference proceedings; Apply for internal/external funding in support of teaching, research, and professional service; Supervise undergraduate and graduate student projects and theses
• Participate in professional activities, including meetings, workshops, and other relevant activities (e.g., appropriate relationships with industry);
• Participate in activities related to EAC-ABET accreditation.

Overview

The Lyles College of Engineering represents the oldest, publicly-supported engineering education focus in the Central Valley of California. While engineering courses were first taught at California State University, Fresno in 1922, the Department of Engineering was established in 1947, followed by a School of Engineering in 1963, culminating in its renaming to Lyles College of Engineering in 2008 in recognition of a major financial gift to the College that was intended to enhance and grow engineering education in the Central Valley. The mission of the College includes developing each student's potential to the greatest extent possible, providing a quality engineering education to all students and serving students from demographic groups that historically have not participated in a university education. The BSME degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering has been continuously accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET since 1965, with over 2,500 alumni in industry, government and academic service. The Department of Mechanical Engineering also offers Aerospace Engineering minor program. The Department faculty provide educational support for over 500 undergraduate and graduate students through hands-on/interactive learning, project- based coursework, industry-sponsored culminating experiences, national design competitions, and practice-based internships.  Specific assignments are dependent on departmental needs and the background of the individual.

Our Students: California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. California State University, Fresno has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Qualifications

Required Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent.):

• An earned doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., D.Eng., Dr.-Ing., or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field and
• A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. The area of specialization should align with the advertised positions:
• Position 1 – Engineering Design, Numerical Analysis, and AI:
  Candidates should have specialization and research interests in computer-aided engineering, numerical simulations, and the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field.
• Position 2 – Mechanics, Manufacturing, and Automation:
  Candidates should have specialization and research interests in mechanics, materials and manufacturing, with emphasis on sensing, robotics, process control, and automation in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related field.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. Record of university-level instruction;
2. Demonstrated experience in the areas of teaching, research, and/or scholarly activities;
3. Evidence of research publications;
4. Ability to demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
5. Proficient communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

1. Experience in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses and laboratories in:

• Design, numerical methods, machine learning and artificial intelligence in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field (Position 1)
• Mechanics, automation and control, materials processing, materials development, mechanism, systems, and/or manufacturing in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related field (Position 2);

2. Grant writing experience;
3. Record of participation or leadership roles in professional organizations;
4. Demonstrated experience by means of industry/government/academic experience and preparation.

Application Procedures: Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2025 (full consideration deadline) and will continue as needed until the positions are filled. Note: All positions at California State University, Fresno are subject to funding availability.

To ensure full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials by December 1, 2025.

Apply online at: http://careers.csufresno.edu

Attach the following:

1. A cover letter specifically addressing which of the positions you are applying (position 1 or 2) for, required experience, and preferred qualifications;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. A statement of teaching;
4. A statement of research;
5. A statement addressing your commitment to working with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and,
6. A list of five professional references.

Candidates invited for an on-campus visit must submit by mail/e-mail within the designated deadline the following:

1. Three current letters of recommendation and
2. Official transcripts.

The Search Chair will send information and requests for these items.

For help and additional information, please feel free to contact the search chair:

Milan Rakita
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Lyles College of Engineering
Email: mrakita@mail.fresnostate.edu
Phone: 559.278.2385

About California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. For more information on the University's commitment and dedication to creating a campus known for its integrity, civility, equity, respect, and ethical behavior.

The campus is ranked 2nd in the nation by Washington Monthly for tuition (and tax) dollars; ranked No. 31 for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings; and received a 4.5-star rating on a 5-star scale in Money’s 2025 Best Colleges list.

Tenure-Track Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University's Probationary Plan Process.  For additional information, please visit:   www.fresnostate.edu/academics/facultyaffairs/procedures/facultyrtp/.  We value our commitment to the success of our faculty by providing services from the Center for Faculty Excellence to Research and Sponsored Programs.

Commensurate with education and experience the anticipated hiring range is $7,500-$7,800 per month for Assistant Professor (12 monthly payments per year).  Salary placement is dependent on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package see the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

 Territorial Acknowledgement

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

 Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml.  Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

A background check (including criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily for this position. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn, or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following website: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html.

California State University, Fresno is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please visit http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 01, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 01, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.