An Aerospace Engineer designs aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft using knowledge of engineering and physics, and tests prototypes to see if they work according to design. May specialize in aeronautical design and work with airplanes and helicopters, or specialize in astronautical design and work with vehicles used in outer space. May specialize in a particular area of design, such as aerodynamic flow or navigation.
(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. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Department of Aerospace Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-line, professional track teaching faculty position focusing on space systems, particularly in astronautics, astrodynamics and space systems design. Successful candidates will teach in-person courses in astronautics, astrodynamics and space systems design required in the undergraduate and graduate programs at the University Park campus, will provide student academic advising, course and curricular design, and may support academic administration, during both the academic year and the summer.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will hold a master's or doctoral degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related field and be qualified to teach one or more of the courses required by the undergraduate program. Specifically, this position requires demonstrated experience in research and undergraduate and graduate instruction in areas supporting Space Systems, including astronautics, orbital mechanics, space mission design and analysis, and space system design. Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate enthusiasm for interacting with and mentoring a diverse student population and contributing to all students' sense of belonging. The appointment will be at the appropriate faculty rank of Lecturer, Assistant Teaching Professor, Associate Teaching Professor, or Teaching Professor. Rank and length of term will be determined based on education and experience. Please see Policy AC21 for the definition of academic ranks and promotional opportunities for non-tenure-line professional track faculty.
Application Information:
To apply, please submit a single PDF file (5MB max) that includes a cover letter articulating teaching interests and experience (please specifically note those AERSP courses that the candidate is qualified to teach out of the department undergraduate and graduate curriculum guide, particularly within this list of courses: AERSP 309, 401A/B, 450, 458 and 550), curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled . About the
Department:
The mission of the Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering is to nurture and grow aerospace engineers capable of addressing the emerging needs of the aerospace industry. Our vision is to use our collective technical ability and our collective passion for flight to grow thought leaders and technical innovators in our field and to create an environment in which: our faculty are the top scholars and creative leaders in our field, and our students are steeped in an inclusive culture valuing a rigorous approach to tough problems faced by the Aerospace Industry. We have crafted this mission and vision to reflect both our passion for the field of aerospace engineering, and our chosen strategy of contributing to the field by nurturing and supporting people in all their career stages - undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty - and the community within which we operate. We believe that we have a unique competitive advantage in our emphasis on supporting people and community: we attract faculty who want to work together in a collegial environment with all the benefits this brings to faculty productivity and inter-disciplinary efforts; our instruction is based on a vision of supporting the whole person; and inclusivity is vital to our community. Our community includes 6 teaching faculty, 20 tenure-line faculty, and numerous active emeritus faculty, research faculty, and collaborators in other engineering departments and in the Applied Research Lab. Excitement for our undergraduate program is strong and our enrollment is growing steadily year-on-year. We seek to grow our professional faculty to support this enrollment growth without losing the personal touch and hands-on experiences we value in our undergraduate program, while also addressing critical gaps in our graduate instruction.
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 There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world's universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it's the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.
