Posting Detail Information
Working TitleAssistant/Associate Professor: Aerospace Vehicle Design, Autonomy, and Systems Architecture
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person
Posting Number202500263F
Proposed Annual Salary RangeAssistant: $100K - $110K, Associate: $110K - $140K
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .
Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !
Position TypeFaculty
Work Hours/Week40
Description of Work Unit
As one of the nation's top public research universities, Colorado State University is a land-grant institution with an enrollment of more than 34,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master's degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU's world-class research and scholarship attract more than $500 million in research funding every year, ranking second nationally in federal research funding for universities without a medical school. Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality-of-life measures by numerous publications; seehttps://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awardsfor the complete list.
Colorado has rapidly emerged as a national leader in aerospace engineering, becoming the home to the second-largest aerospace economy in the United Statesand often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Aerospace". The state boasts a rich ecosystem of legacy defense contractors, cutting-edge space startups, and research institutions driving innovation in satellite systems, hypersonics, advanced manufacturing, and space exploration. Fort Collins is strategically positioned within this aerospace corridor, with nearby companies such asLockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE , Sierra Space, Blue Canyon Technologies, Dassault Systemes, Safran Defense & Space, Boom Technology, Maxar, Woodward, Broadcom, Beehive Industries, and Ursa Major, as well as well-established partnerships with NASA , U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU is actively expanding its aerospace programs to meet this demand, with new degree offerings, industry-aligned research initiatives, and strategic hires across key areas of aerospace systems, propulsion, and design.
The Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering ( WSCOE ) at Colorado State University is a dynamic and diverse college comprising approximately 170 faculty, 300 postdoctoral scholars and research scientists, 95 academic and administrative staff, 2,500 undergraduate students, and 1,050 graduate students. The College is home to four academic departments serving both graduate and undergraduate students, two departments with graduate-only programs, two interdisciplinary degree-granting programs, and a federal cooperative research institute. WSCOE prides itself on its "hands-on" experiential approach to engineering education, offering extensive laboratory and team-based coursework alongside research opportunities.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University ( CSU ) offers a curriculum that integrates exceptional classroom learning and in-depth engineering practice for an unparalleled educational experience. The department is made up of 37 faculty members, 16 staff members,1,200 undergraduate students, and 150 graduate students and is one of the largest on CSU's campus. State-of-the-art labs provide unmatched, hands-on experience to help undergraduate students conceptualize industry environments, and over $20M in annual research expenditures provide groundbreaking opportunities focusing on aerospace, energy, bioengineering, health and materials for graduate students to enhance their educational concentrations. Award-winning faculty offer industry and academic perspectives and equip each graduate with the tools needed to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our goal is to give our graduates the engineering skills they need to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our students are integral members of our research groups, and their thesis and dissertation topics focus on cutting-edge research.
The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering is actively expanding its expertise in Aerospace Engineering,with active collaborations among the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Systems Engineering. The CSU Mechanical Engineering Department has a long history of aerospace research programs, beginning in 1965 with the Electric Propulsion and Plasma Engineering Laboratory. Since then, Mechanical Engineering researchers have established a robust aerospace focused research portfolio with over $16M in active aerospace-related research grants from sponsors, including NASA , the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, United States Air Force, National Science Foundation, Woodward, Lockheed Martin, Ursa Major and others. Detail can be found at:https://www.engr.colostate.edu/me/aerospace/.
In response to the increasing demand from the Colorado Aerospace Industry, the Colorado State University Mechanical Engineering Department offers an Undergraduate Concentration in Aerospace Engineering, a Graduate Certificate with an Aerospace Engineering Specialization, and Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Engineering specialization. Current faculty have active externally funded aerospace research programs and teach related courses in aerodynamics, sustainable aviation, air-breathing propulsion and space propulsion.
Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes
% Research50%
% Teaching40%
% Service10%
% Administration0%
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on12/01/2025
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date08/16/2026
Position End Date
Position Summary
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University ( CSU ) invites applications for a tenure-track/tenured faculty position at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor with aprimary focus on Aerospace Vehicle Design, Autonomy, and Systems Architecture. We are activelyexpanding expertise in artificial intelligence / machine learning,including integration of robotics and automation technologies in aerospace applications (e.g., space robotics, autnomous inspection and servicing, robotic docking, UAV manipulation). This is an outstanding opportunity to develop and lead a research program that aligns with and builds upon the Department's existing and growing strengths in Aerospace Engineering. The appointee will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty engaged in these interdisciplinary areas and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Candidates working in the broad and often inter-related areas of Aerospace Engineering are encouraged to apply. Expertise / focus of particular interest include, but are not limited to:
Aircraft and Spacecraft Design:Design of next-gen aircraft and/or spacecraft, spacecraft architecture, hypersonic flight controls, eVTOL/ AAM design and control coupling.
Aerospace Systems Design:Multidisciplinary design optimization, reduced order modeling, digital twins, human-machine control integration, system-of-systems design.
Autonomous Aerospace Systems: GNC of aircraft/spacecraft/UAVs/ AAM , resilient control of safety-critical aerospace systems, swarm space and air vehicles/multi-agent systems, AI based decision-making.
Space Systems Architecture, Logistics and Operations:Network models for multi-mission space campaigns, optimization and modeling for in-space logistics, constellation design and management, sensor tasking for space domain awareness.
The individual selected will be assigned one of two tenure-track faculty working titles based on qualifications and record of accomplishment. Specifically, a selected individual with a PhD and limited postdoctoral or equivalent experience will be appointed as Assistant Professor. A selected individual with a PhD who has more than 5 years of independent, post-PhD professional experience beyond the postdoctoral stage, with evidence of an established research program, effective teaching, and professional service, may be appointed as Associate Professor. This faculty position is a full-time, nine-month appointment.
We seek individuals who are enthusiastic about establishing and nurturing a robust, globally acknowledged research program sustained by external funding sources. In this role, they will contribute to enhancing our Department's educational offerings and engage in meaningful service to the University and the wider community. We offer the chance to teach and mentor at various academic levels, from undergraduates to PhD candidates, and mold the future engineers of tomorrow. You will have the opportunity to mentor and guide our diverse student body and cultivate advanced courses that reflect your specific areas of expertise. As an integral part of our team, your expertise, and innovative teaching methodologies will significantly impact our Mechanical Engineering curriculum.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Required Job Qualifications
For Assistant Professor candidates:
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.
Evidence of potential to develop and sustain a robust, externally funded research program in the areas described in the Position Summary.
Demonstrated scholarship in relevant areas through a record of peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations commensurate with career stage.
Demonstrated interest in and potential for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
For Associate Professor candidates:
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
At least 5 years of experience beyond doctoral training in academic, government, or industrial research settings.
Evidence of ability to establish and lead a robust, externally funded research program.
Demonstrated excellence in scholarship as evidenced by sustained external funding, a strong publication record in high-impact venues, and mentoring of graduate students and/or research staff.
Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
Preferred Job Qualifications
For Assistant Professor candidates:
Postdoctoral or equivalent professional research experience in academic, government, or industrial settings.
Experience with proposal development and evidence of success in securing external research funding, commensurate with career stage.
Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level, commensurate with career stage.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries (e.g., propulsion, aerodynamics, autonomy, and/or controls).
For Associate Professor candidates:
Established record of securing and managing external research funding as principal investigator.
Demonstrated success in advising and graduating PhD students.
Documented record of teaching effectiveness in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering courses.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries (e.g., propulsion, aerodynamics, autonomy, and/or controls).
Special Instructions to Applicants
Interested applicants must submit acover letter, which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, acurrent resume or CV, astatement of research philosophy, astatement of teaching interests, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers ofthree (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
The research statement should outline your past contributions, articulate your long-term research vision, and describe major future research directions, including their significance, methods, potential funding, and integration with student teaching and mentorship (2-4 pages). The teaching statement should describe your teaching philosophy, past teaching experience including any evidence of teaching effectiveness, approaches to fostering student learning, strategies for inclusive and effective instruction, and plans for mentoring and curriculum development (1-2 pages).
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The @type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any @type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Search ContactBret Windom, bret.windom@colostate.edu
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryConduct and Publish Research
Duty/Responsibility
Develop proposals and secure grants from industrial and federal aerospace entities, and
Design, analyze and publish theoretical or applied research results in peer-reviewed publications to the scientific community.
Percentage Of Time50%
Job Duty CategoryTeaching and Advising
Duty/Responsibility
Prepare and deliver to undergraduate and graduate students up to three courses per year within the Mechanical Engineering curriculum, and
Advise and mentor undergraduate and MS / PhD graduate students.
Percentage Of Time40%
Job Duty CategoryService to Department, College, University and Discipline
Duty/Responsibility
Contribute to the success of the department, college, and university through activities such as service on committees, and
Serve the scientific/engineering discipline through activities such as membership on academic society committees and reviewing manuscripts for journals and conferences.
Percentage Of Time10%
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume or CV
Statement of Research Philosophy
Statement of Teaching Interests
Optional Documents
