Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley•Brownsville, TX

53d

About The Position

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as a Professor of Practice of Mechanical Engineering beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year based at the Brownsville campus. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites applications for an Open-Rank Professor of Practice position (Assistant/Associate/Full depending on qualifications and experience), beginning Fall 2026, to support the department's continued growth and increasing student enrollment. The department currently serves over 1400 undergraduate and graduate students and includes 27 full-time faculty members dedicated to delivering high-quality education, impactful research, and meaningful student engagement through its ABET-accredited program. At present, the department only offers the first two years of undergraduate courses at the Brownsville campus. These positions are part of a strategic plan to expand to the delivery of the full four-year curriculum at the Brownsville campus. The successful candidate(s) will have the opportunity to help lead this expansion. They will be responsible for teaching undergraduate courses across multiple mechanical engineering disciplines at the Brownsville campus. Additional responsibilities include advising and mentoring students, supporting outreach and recruitment initiatives, and building collaborations with local schools, community colleges, and industry partners. Applicants should possess substantial industry experience, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to practical, application-oriented teaching. UTRGV is a Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to serving a diverse student population. The successful candidate will shape the growth of a young, dynamic mechanical engineering program at a high-impact public university, contribute to the Brownsville campus expansion, a cornerstone of UTRGV's regional development strategy, inspire a diverse new generation of engineers and leaders in South Texas, one of the nation's most rapidly developing regions, and collaborate with strong industry and government partners to design applied learning ecosystems that reflect real-world practice. For priority consideration, applications must be received by December 31, 2025. Applications will continue to be reviewed until positions are filled. A complete application will include the following required documents: Curriculum Vitae, Unofficial Transcripts, List of 3 References, Letter of Interest, Research Statement (including highlights of major project, industry collaborations), and Teaching Philosophy (including how you incorporate applied/industry-relevant learning and mentoring). About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website. College Background: The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) hosts an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in materials science and engineering, and a Ph.D. program in computer science with interdisciplinary applications. The research centers in the college include the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems (CAMICS), the Center for Nanotechnology, the Center for Aerospace Research, Industrial Assessment Center, the NSF Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS), and the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS). For further information regarding the College, please visit our websites athttps://www.utrgv.edu/cecs/. Department Background: The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UTRGV has an enrollment of almost 1400 undergraduate and 100+ graduate students. The Department offers an ABET- accredited Bachelor of Science, Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and along with the college, a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering as well as a PhD degree in Material Science & Engineering. For further information regarding UTRGV and the Mechanical Engineering Department, please visit our websites at https://www.utrgv.edu/mece/.

Requirements

Applicants must have an earned Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from an accredited university (at least conferred before the start date of September 1, 2026).
Prospective candidates in all mechanical engineering areas are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates at the Assistant Professor of Practice level (non-tenure-track) position will be considered based on demonstrated potential to enhance the teaching, service, and capabilities of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Nice To Haves

Experienced in teaching a broad range of undergraduate mechanical engineering courses, from lower to upper-level, encompassing thermal-fluids, mechanics, and design (e.g., dynamic modeling and analysis sequence, computer aided design and engineering design sequence).

Responsibilities

Teaching undergraduate courses across multiple mechanical engineering disciplines at the Brownsville campus.
Advising and mentoring students
Supporting outreach and recruitment initiatives
Building collaborations with local schools, community colleges, and industry partners.

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