Assistant/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Assistant or Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering is a Full-Time Tenure-Line faculty position within the Mechanical Engineering Program at Penn State Harrisburg. Candidates who seek to be hired as an Associate Professor with tenure will be expected to meet the promotion and tenure requirements at Penn State Harrisburg. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who shares our commitment to teaching, research, and service. The successful candidate will contribute to our efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for students, foster robust and collaborative research, and engage in service activities supporting institutional goals.

Anticipated Start Date: August 2025

The primary responsibilities of the Assistant or Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering include:

Teaching: The candidate will be expected to teach 9 credit hours per semester. For the first two years, this teaching load is reduced by 3 credits per semester. Areas of teaching focus may include, but are not limited to, manufacturing, mechatronics, engineering design, and engineering mechanics. The Program offers two BS degrees – one in Mechanical Engineering (ABET EAC accredited) and one in Mechanical Engineering Technology (ABET TAC accredited). At the graduate level, the Program offers a residential MS program and the School offers a PhD program. Faculty will be expected to participate in all degree programs. Faculty also will be expected to participate in recruitment and retention activities, advise both undergraduate and graduate students, and supervise graduate student culminating experiences.

Research/Scholarship/Creative Accomplishments: The candidate is expected to engage in scholarly activities in their respective area of expertise. Priority will be given to candidates whose research areas include manufacturing with an emphasis on automation, internet of things, and Industry 4.0. Candidates with backgrounds in mechatronics, engineering design, and engineering mechanics will also be considered. The candidate is expected to obtain external funding to support research and scholarly activities. The Program has a long history of working with local industries to address manufacturing challenges and is strengthening our collaboration with the College of Medicine in biomedical device design and manufacturing.

Service: Faculty are expected to serve on committees at the department, school, and college level so that the mission of the college and university are advanced. Faculty are also expected to actively promote and advance the school’s steadfast commitment to education and improving the diversity of voices in STEM to their professional and the regional communities of south-central Pennsylvania.

Qualifications: To be considered for the Assistant or Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, candidates should possess the following qualifications:

Education: At the time of the candidate’s start at Penn State Harrisburg, the candidate must have a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. The degree must be awarded no later than August 2025.

Expertise: The successful candidate will have a background in manufacturing with an emphasis on automation, internet of things, and Industry 4.0. Candidates with backgrounds in mechatronics, engineering design, and engineering mechanics will also be considered.

Rank and Tenure: Rank and tenure will be determined based on the years of teaching and scholarly experience. The assistant professor should possess a terminal degree or its equivalent in organized research or professional practice; must have demonstrated ability as a teacher or research worker; and must have shown definite evidence of growth in scholarly, artistic, or professional achievement. The associate professor should possess the same qualifications as the assistant professor, but must also provide evidence of an established reputation in scholarly, artistic, or professional achievement.

Experience: The candidate at the Assistant Professor candidate will demonstrate ability as a researcher, scholar, and teacher in a relevant field and have evidence of growth in scholarly achievement. The candidate at the Associate Professor level will demonstrate a clear program of research, a publication record, evidence of or potential for receiving extramural funding, and evidence of experience with teaching and mentorship commensurate with rank.

Application Process: To apply for the Assistant or Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, please visit Penn State’s Human Resources website hr.psu.edu/careers and submit the following documents:  

Cover Letter: The cover letter should include the candidate's interest in the position, a brief summary of their qualifications, and their commitment to diversifying the voices in STEM and how they have incorporated DEIB in their educational experiences. Curriculum Vitae: The curriculum vitae should highlight the following: the candidate's education, teaching, professional experience, research, and service to their prior educational institutions, their communities, and the profession. Teaching Philosophy (250 words): Candidates must submit a statement of teaching philosophy that highlights past experience and future plans for their teaching and that addresses their strategies for promoting diverse voices in the classroom. Research Philosophy (250 words): Candidates must submit a statement of research philosophy that highlights past experience and future plans for growing an externally-funded research program. The statement should include strategies for incorporating undergraduate and graduate students in their research. Professional References: Candidates must submit a list of three professional references with contact information.

DEIB Commitment: SSET faculty are committed to diversifying the voices in the STEM professions. To that end, the successful candidate will be expected to incorporate teaching methods that promote learning among diverse populations and will create a learning environmental that genuinely supports, respects, and addresses the diverse needs of student populations at Penn State Harrisburg. The College has a Center for Teaching Excellence with instructional designers that will assist faculty in developing course materials that promote learning for all students. The College is emphasizing high-impact practices for our students including through undergraduate research opportunities.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: