Tenure Track Faculty School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

Job description

Vacancy Announcement

Faculty Tenure-Track Position Starting Fall 2026

School of Engineering

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) that strives to foster an equitable and inclusive community that supports our students of diverse backgrounds.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty of the highest quality committed to promoting excellence for all students.

DESCRIPTION: Cal Poly Humboldt and the School of Engineering invites applicants for a full-time, academic year, tenure-track faculty position with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering. We invite applicants from all areas of Mechanical Engineering, but preference will be given to candidates whose teaching and research focus is on Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation, or Machine Design.

We expect that this position will be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor, although exceptionally strong candidates at higher ranks will also be considered.

We value scholars who will support the needs of our growing student body and bridge multiple areas of Engineering through their research, teaching, and service contributions.

DEPARTMENT: The School of Engineering is part of the College of Natural Resources and Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Our foundational curriculum for engineering students emphasizes a systems-thinking approach, skillfully applying computational methods and data analysis, seeking opportunities for hands-on lab activities and applied design work to support learning, and valuing engineering work that serves the greater good of society.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s School of Engineering offers multiple programs.

At the undergraduate level, these include Energy Systems Engineering (, Environmental Resources Engineering (, and Mechanical Engineering (.

Our undergraduate programs share a common curriculum for the first two years, followed by specialty courses specific to each program.

At the graduate level, we have a one-year practice-based program in Engineering and Community Practice ( and two options in the research-based Environmental Systems master’s program (: Environmental Resources Engineering and Energy, Technology, and Policy.

Cal Poly Humboldt emphasizes hands-on, place-based learning.

Engineering students engage in frequent labs, field trips, and team-based projects, while enjoying a cooperative learning environment in classes that range in size from 12 to 96 students.

Most engineering classes currently have fewer than 25 students.

The School of Engineering and the University value diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Currently, 54% of the thirteen tenure-track faculty identify as women, 38% of tenure-track faculty are BIPOC, 35% of engineering students self-identify as underrepresented, 35% of engineering students are first in their family to attend university, and 39% of engineering students are Pell Grant eligible.

The School of Engineering has direct faculty and student links to the world‐famous Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, Schatz Energy Research Center, Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, and Telonicher Marine Lab.

Opportunities exist to collaborate with and/or conduct research through these entities.

Further information can be found online:

School of Engineering:

College of Natural Resources and Sciences:

Humboldt High Performance Computing Center:

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES: Candidates should be committed to teaching excellence and to building a strong research record.

Instructional assignments may include: include fundamental (lower division), upper division, or graduate-level classes in Mechanical Engineering, that align with the candidate’s area of expertise.

Instructional assignments will be consistent with the programmatic needs of the department and students.

The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and service to the University, profession and to the community.

These responsibilities include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide communities, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions.

Probationary faculty are typically provided ongoing mentorship to be a successful member of the faculty.

During the first two years of the probationary period, teaching responsibilities will be reduced by approximately one course each semester.

The reduced teaching load supports the establishment of research, scholarship and/or creative activities required for retention, tenure, and promotion.

Cal Poly Humboldt also continues to build unique and innovative learning opportunities for students, bridging multiple disciplines across the spectrum.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a leader in “learning communities” that build relationships between students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the community.

These communities incorporate environmental and social responsibility.

RANK, SALARY AND BENEFITS: We seek to fill this position at the Assistant Professor rank; however, rank and salary are dependent on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

The Assistant Professor Classification annual salary range for this position is $74,652 - $158,688; the anticipated starting annual salary is $85,000 - $90,000.

Cal Poly Humboldt provides an excellent benefits package for faculty.

Information about benefits plans can be found at:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An earned .

or equivalent in Engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university is required at the time of appointment.

If ABD, degree requirements must be completed by date of appointment.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following:

Record of training or experience in the field of Mechanical Engineering;

Excellence in, or clear potential for, university-level teaching and creating a student-centered learning environment;

Evidence of, or clear potential for, effective teaching using a variety of methodologies;

Evidence of, or clear potential for, conducting and publishing original research on Mechanical Engineering in peer-reviewed journals;

Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse student and/or research populations;

Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity addressing issues of concern facing students from diverse backgrounds in higher education; and

Record of, or potential for, involving students in research and scholarly activity.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

Documented experience within the private and/or public sector working with clients, stakeholders, and communities to develop engineering projects and/or analysis; and

Licensure as a professional engineer.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position.

Pursuant to the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy (effective January 1, 2022), hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of the state of California is prohibited.

The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a .

citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States.

For information on the University policy on support for non-immigrant probationary faculty visa acquisition, please visit the Faculty Immigration Resources page:

Evidence of degree(s) is required at time of hire.

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should submit the following materials through PageUp:

Letter of Application;

Curriculum Vitae;

Statement of Teaching Philosophy, including how it relates to supporting students who have been historically marginalized and/or minoritized;

Statement of Research Interests;

Teaching Evaluations, if available;

Graduate Transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review); and

Names and Contact Information for Three (3) Professional References.

Additional application materials may be requested at a later time.

Questions concerning the application process may be directed to:

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: As an institution, Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic, student-centered practices and policies that fully engage the campus community.

The ideal candidate will share Cal Poly Humboldt’s commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives.

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, ability, and orientations.

Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community.

The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, and students who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

Cal Poly Humboldt sits on the traditional homelands of the Wiyot people in what is currently called Arcata, CA.

The Wiyot people call the area Goudi’ni (over in the woods).

The Cal Poly Humboldt campus in Northern California is in close proximity to several thriving Native American tribes and communities.

Cal Poly Humboldt currently has the largest percentage of Native American students in the CSU system and has over 30 Native American faculty and staff many from local area California Indian tribes.

Cal Poly Humboldt is home to a number of leading Native American programs including the Indian Tribal Education and Personnel Program (ITEPP) and the Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP).

There are also many opportunities at Cal Poly Humboldt to conduct research, teaching and community work on Native American history and cultures in Special Collections at the Cal Poly Humboldt library.

The Humboldt Room in the Library has fantastic resources for tribally focused archive materials from the region.

Cal Poly Humboldt strives to build a supportive and inclusive Native community and engages with Native communities through various initiatives and opportunities like the annual California Indian Big Time and Indigenous People’s Week and a chance to network with other faculty and staff as part of the Cal Poly Humboldt Council of American Indian Faculty and Staff.

For more information, please visit:

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position is open until filled.

First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than November 2, 2025, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Early response is encouraged.

See more photos at .

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide complete and accurate employment information.

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) will be required prior to the appointment date.

A background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) must be completed satisfactorily as a condition of employment with the CSU.

Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service.

Adverse findings from a background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

 All CSU employees are obligated to respond to and report incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Compliance with the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 (EO 1083) is a condition of employment.

CSU employees in positions with duties that involve regular contact with children or positions which supervise such employees are designated as Mandated Reporters under CANRA and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in EO 1083.

Upon appointment to this position, the successful candidate(s) will be notified of and required to acknowledge their CANRA reporting status.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017 are subject to a 10 year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/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, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If accommodations need to be made during the recruitment and interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 826-3626 or

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Cal Poly Humboldt is part of the 23-campus California State University system.

The University has a comprehensive arts and sciences curriculum, which is recognized nationally for its high academic quality.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers.

Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs.

Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have nearly 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability.

Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, groundbreaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold, open, down-to-earth, and visionary.

Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s main campus is located in Arcata, California, in the northwestern part of the state along the coast, situated among redwood trees in an area that offers unmatched scenic beauty, moderate climate and opportunities for outdoor activities.

The surrounding Humboldt County locale has a population of around 130,000.

The community offers an excellent range of businesses, services and cultural activities/performances.

The local schools are ranked in the top performance percentiles, both nationally and in the state.

Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at:

Required Skill Profession

Engineers