Composite Materials and Structures Professional Practice Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Role details

Overview

The Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Utah State University invites applications for a full-time, academic-year Professional Practice Professor (non-tenure-track, open rank) position, with an anticipated start date no later than fall 2027. We seek an experienced engineering professional or researcher with expertise in composite materials, composite structures, composites manufacturing or a closely related area who is passionate about graduate education and preparing engineers for professional practice.

The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening Utah State University’s graduate education and industry engagement in advanced composite materials and structures. The position will have two complementary areas of responsibility: (1) developing and teaching application-based graduate courses in mechanical engineering and composite materials and structures, and (2) providing leadership for the Center for Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Materials.

This position provides an opportunity for an experienced engineering professional or researcher to play a significant role in shaping graduate education and advanced materials activities at Utah State University. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to connect academic instruction, applied engineering practice, advanced materials research, and industry engagement while helping prepare the next generation of engineers for careers in composite materials and structures.

Through leadership of the Center for Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Materials and engagement with the Master Program in Composite Materials Engineering, the successful candidate will help create opportunities for students to work on authentic engineering challenges, interact with practicing engineers, and develop the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in industry and other engineering careers.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will

• Develop and teach application-based graduate courses in at least two of the following three courses: material science of composite materials, composite structures, manufacturing of composite materials and testing of composite materials.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the Master Program in Composite Materials Engineering, including curriculum development and courses that reflect current engineering practice and emerging technologies.
• Teach other graduate or undergraduate mechanical engineering courses, as appropriate to the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs.
• Provide technical and professional mentorship to graduate students through coursework, projects, applied research, and other experiential learning activities.
• Direct the Center for Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Materials, working collaboratively with faculty, students, industry partners, and other stakeholders to advance the Center’s educational and applied engineering mission.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with industry, government laboratories, and other external organizations in support of graduate education, applied research, professional development, and student opportunities.
• Promote the Master Program in Composite Materials Engineering through engagement with prospective students, industry partners, professional organizations, alumni, and other relevant communities.
• Help identify and develop opportunities for students to participate in industry-sponsored projects, applied research, testing and characterization, advanced manufacturing, and other engineering experiences.
• Contribute to the broader educational and professional mission of the MAE Department through student mentoring, curriculum development, outreach, and other activities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• An M.S. or Ph.D. in mechanical or chemical engineering or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical or chemical engineering and in composite materials, composite structures, composites manufacturing or a closely related area.
• The ability to develop and teach graduate-level, application-focused engineering courses.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing engineering students.

Perferred Qualifications

• Industrial and/or research laboratory experience in composite materials, structures, advanced manufacturing, or related engineering fields.
• Experience with the design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, characterization, or application of composite materials and structures.
• Experience working with industry partners or multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience mentoring graduate students or early-career engineers.
• A demonstrated ability to build partnerships and translate engineering knowledge and research into practical applications.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please include:

• 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”
• Statement of teaching philosophy 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 typed at the beginning of the application

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

Advertised Salary

Commensurate With Experience, Plus Excellent Benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

The MAE department has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with enrollments of approximately 800 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, and is the largest department in the College of Engineering. The department offers a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering; MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Composite Materials & Structures, and Space Systems Engineering; and PhD degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. The department currently has 17 tenured/tenure-track faculty members and 4 professors of practice, with additional part-time instructors from local industry and research institutions.

Annual department research expenditures are approximately $3M. Successful applicants may have opportunities to work closely with scientists and engineers from the USU Research Foundation Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), one of 14 Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC). Further, USU faculty also have access to the University of Utah Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC) facilities and the Utah Water Research Laboratory. USU is the nearest PhD-granting institution in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering to the Idaho National Laboratory, and is also in close proximity to Hill Air Force Base and other defense-related organizations.

The College of Engineering at Utah State University is a regional leader in teaching and research. The college currently has 95 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, with additional professors of practice and part-time instructors from local industry and research institutions. We are home to the world-famous Utah Water Research Laboratory and the National Science Foundation-funded ASPIRE Engineering Research Center for sustainable electrified transportation. Each year, our college welcomes an average of 2,000 undergraduate and 300 graduate students from around the globe. The college offers five ABET-accredited undergraduate degrees and 15 graduate degree programs.

In 2023-24, the college generated $40 million in research expenditures. Our award-winning faculty regularly secure competitive funding, and our students excel at national design and scholarships challenges. USU is in close proximity to the Idaho National Laboratory, Hill Air Force Base, and other energy- and defense-related organizations. For more information, please visit: https://engineering.usu.edu/

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world.

With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state . Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected] .

• updated 10/26

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, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

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

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

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

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | [email protected]

• updated 10/2025