Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Penn State University· startup· Higher Education / Research· Sep 28, 2026 · 29d ago
Penn State University Park
Hybrid
Full-time
$110K–$150K est.
Job description
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 .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University in University Park is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-line position in Mechanical Engineering at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the area of construction robotics. Funding for construction robotics is seeing explosive growth, with global construction-tech markets surging and major startups raising massive rounds. This position would align with efforts across Penn State in the areas of robotics and the built environment. This position is co-funded by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is home to more than 65 faculty, 350 graduate students, and 1110 undergraduate students. The faculty conduct in excess of $48M per year of funded research across a broad spectrum of traditional and emerging areas. Penn State actively encourages and provides resources for interdisciplinary research collaboration through university-level institutes primarily focused on materials, health, and energy. The Department offers separate B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs in mechanical engineering including online graduate programs in mechanical engineering and in additive manufacturing and design. The Department has a dedicated faculty and staff forming a strong sense of community and belonging. Further information on the Department can be found at: me.psu.edu .
Penn State’s Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation is a university-wide research institute within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research focused on advancing innovation across the built environment. The Institute brings together over 150 interdisciplinary experts in engineering, artificial intelligence, construction, energy, materials, health, and public polict to address complex challenges in how buildings and infrastructure are designed, built, operated, and experienced. Institute faculty gain access to interdisciplinary collaborators across Penn State, industry and government partners, grant and proposal-development support, opportunities for industry-sponsored and applied research, Living Laboratory projects and testbeds, and competitive seed funding. Further information on Cocoziello Institute can be found at cocoziello.psu.edu
The Assistant Professor should possess a Ph.D. in engineering or a closely related field by the appointment start date; must have demonstrated ability as a teacher or research worker; and must have shown definite evidence of growth in scholarly 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 or professional achievement. The successful candidates are expected to teach courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, to develop an internationally recognized, externally-funded research program, and to contribute to the operation and promotion of the department, college, university, and profession through service. The successful candidate will also assume a key role in interdisciplinary research collaborations, particularly in partnership with the Cocoziello Institute. The successful candidate should be a collaborative leader who will promote and enhance excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary research.
Nominations and applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Screening of applicants will begin on November 16, 2026. Applicants should submit the following documents: a cover letter; a curriculum vitae; a statement on research; a statement on teaching; a statement on alignment with and experience related to Penn State’s Values of Respect and Community; copies of 3 key publications; and names and addresses of five professional references. System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine all materials into a single PDF to meet the 5-document limit .
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
- Platform
- workday
- Effort
- long
Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision