Position: Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Space Systems Engineering)
Effective Date: August 17, 2026 (Fall Semester)
Salary Range: The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary is $74,652 to $158,688/year; $6,221 to $13,224/per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $103,000 to $106,000 annually, or $8583 to $8833 per month (12 monthly payments per academic year). Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Deadline: Review of applications to begin on January 20, 2026. Position opened until filled (or recruitment canceled).

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). CSULB earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2023, joining a distinctive group of colleges and universities who have been recognized for its commitment to Latine/x student success. CSULB is committed to serving diverse students and has established and actively supports the Black Excellence Collegium, dedicated to promoting Black excellence and advancing Black Student Success, and El Concilio for Latinx Success at the Beach, whose mission is to build capacity and promote inclusive servingness across initiatives and efforts for the benefit of all students. The President’s Equity and Change Commission is dedicated to achieving inclusive excellence in our community and culture and throughout the university. CSULB’s Beach 2030 University Action Plans prioritize engaging all students, expanding access to higher education, promoting intellectual achievement, building community, and cultivating resilience.  

College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. Degree at time of application or official notification of completion of the doctoral degree by August 1, 2026.
• Specialization in the area of Space Systems Engineering with applications to mechanical and aerospace systems. Specific concentrations related to space systems include but are not limited to space vehicle design, launch vehicle design, orbital mechanics, small satellite design and operations, human spaceflight, on orbit manufacturing, space communications, space propulsion, and spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control.
• Demonstrated potential or effectiveness in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels
• Demonstrated potential for successful research, scholarly, and creative activities
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a diverse student population, including low socioeconomic and first-generation students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses
• Experience in teaching courses in the areas of Space Systems in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Demonstrated ability to supervise student projects and theses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead hands-on learning activities that foster student innovation and creativity
• Demonstrated ability to develop and update curriculum and academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels
• Demonstrated ability and clear plans for development of research programs in emerging and rapidly developing areas of Space Systems
• Record of academic publications and research in one or more of the emerging areas in Space Systems
• Demonstrated success or history of securing external funding for research
• Active participation in academic governance
• Experience of successfully working with populations demographically and/or socioeconomically similar to the CSULB student body (Demographics)
• Experience mentoring or supporting students with minoritized identities or experience using inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies in a diverse classroom

Duties:

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical and aerospace engineering as well as courses related to space systems (Mode of instruction may include in-person, hybrid, online, and/or any combination thereof.)
• Develop new courses and update existing courses, including laboratories
• Supervise student projects and theses
• Actively pursue external support for research through grants and contracts
• Conduct independent and collaborative research leading to publications and external funding
• Participate in service to the department, college, university, and community

CSULB seeks to recruit faculty who enthusiastically support the University’s strong commitment to the academic success of all our students, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions. CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at California State University, Long Beach, teaches, advises/mentors, and develops a curriculum that supports, engages, and empowers the educational goals of individuals from ethnically and culturally diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds, with a commitment to pedagogical practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The department is committed to recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty.

Information on the excellent benefits package available to CSULB faculty is located here: CSU Employee Benefits

How to Apply – Required Documentation:

• A Student Success Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population (maximum two pages, single-spaced). For further information and guidelines, please visit: Student Success Statement
• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications
• CV
• Names and contact information for three references (to be contacted for confidential letters of recommendation finalist stage)
• Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (maximum two pages, single-spaced)
• Statement of current and future research (maximum two pages, single-spaced)
• Finalists should be prepared to submit an official transcript (e-transcript preferred, if available)

How to Apply: Click the Apply Now icon to complete the CSULB online application

Requests for information about the position and process should be addressed to:

Jalal Torabzadeh, Professor and Chair
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-8305

(562) 985-8181 or E-Mail: Jalal.Torabzadeh@csulb.edu

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to the CSU Out of State Employment Policy, hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California is prohibited effective January 1, 2022. By prohibiting employment outside of California, the CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States. Exceptions to the Policy are limited to approved and documented purposes for conducting CSU business outside of California.

All employees who assign and/or oversee work are responsible for ensuring that compliant work controls and procedures consistent with Federal, State and local regulations and University policies are implemented and maintained to provide for the protection of individuals and to safeguard the

environment. Everyone is expected to comply with applicable Environmental Health and Safety regulations and University policies, programs and procedures. For more information, the systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/18172024/latest/ and questions may be sent to Environmental_Health_Safety@csulb.edu.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to fahr@csulb.edu .

All university program and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy, as well as state and federal law, CSULB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. To access CSULB’s full statement on Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment, please visit Equity and Compliance.