Penn State University

Mechanical Engineering Tenure-Track Faculty Position

Penn State University$70K — $95K *
Erie, PA 16509In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field required by appointment start date
  • Commitment to excellence in undergraduate education
  • Active research program
  • Ability to engage in service to the university
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration experience is preferred

Responsibilities

  • Teach undergraduate courses in Mechanical Engineering
  • Guide senior design projects in engineering and design
  • Conduct research in advanced manufacturing, materials, and sustainability
  • Collaborate with faculty and industry partners
  • Integrate undergraduate student experiences into research programs

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Robust retirement plans
  • 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members
  • Support for personal and professional wellbeing
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources
Full Job Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.


Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Behrend, invites applicants for two Mechanical Engineering tenure-track faculty positions starting in Spring 2025 or Fall 2026 at the rank of Assistant Professor. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be considered for higher rank, commensurate with experience. The selected candidate should be committed to excellence in undergraduate education, an active research program, and service to the university.

Faculty at Penn State Behrend's School of Engineering benefit from strong institutional support for both undergraduate education and applied research. We encourage scholarship that aligns with our strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials and polymers, energy and sustainability, robotics and automation, and AI-enabled engineering design. Our faculty are particularly encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary collaborations and industry partnerships, leveraging Behrend's Open Lab model and state-of-the-art facilities. Looking ahead, construction will begin in 2026 on the new Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness (CMC), which will feature dedicated resources for metal casting, advanced polymer research, and battery testing. Research in these areas will be especially valued.

The selected candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses and guide senior design projects in the area(s) of engineering and design, system dynamics, measurements and instrumentation, and fundamental computer programming. Other potential areas may include machine design, finite element analysis, and/or engineering mechanics. The successful candidate will be expected to work in a collaborative environment and a research program that integrates undergraduate student experiences. A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required by the appointment start date.

Penn State Behrend (http://www.behrend.psu.edu) is a comprehensive four-year and residential college of Penn State in Erie, Pennsylvania. The college is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, and prides itself on the balance it achieves between teaching and research. Located on a beautiful, wooded hilltop campus, Penn State Behrend offers its 5,100 undergraduate and graduate students an inspiring and technologically-advanced environment characterized by close student/faculty interaction. The School of Engineering has over 1,800 students in our ABET accredited programs.

Erie, a metropolitan area of 280,000, is located on Lake Erie's beautiful Presque Isle Bay. The region offers many cultural, sports, and recreational resources, including Pennsylvania's most popular state park. Erie County is a major industrial, medical, service, and tourism center, and is within a two-hour drive of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. Residents benefit from a rejuvenated Bayfront District while enjoying a modest cost of living and affordable housing. There are five colleges in the area.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please send a complete resume, a brief statement of research, a brief statement of teaching and the names of three references. Onsite teaching is an essential function of this job.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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