Vacancy Announcement

Tenure-Track Faculty Position Starting Fall 2025

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 and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Humboldt: Our foundational curriculum for engineering students includes emphasizing computation skills, hands-on lab activities, and valuing engineering work that is done in service to society.

Priority Areas: We invite applicants whose expertise aligns with the needs of the Mechanical Engineering Program and we highly value scholars and instructors who can bridge multiple areas such as:

Mechanical Engineering

• Controls
• Robotics
• Automation
• Instrumentation
• Machine Design

Cal Poly Humboldt’s School of Engineering offers multiple programs. At the undergraduate level, these include Energy Systems Engineering (B.S.), Environmental Resources Engineering (B.S.), and Mechanical Engineering (B.S.). Our undergraduate programs have a shared curriculum for the first two years, and specialty courses for each program subsequently. At the graduate level we have a one-year practice-based program in Engineering and Community Practice (M.S.) and two options in the research-based Environmental Systems master’s program (M.S.): 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 from 12-96 students. The majority of engineering classes currently have fewer than 25 students.  The School of Engineering and the University value diversity, inclusion and equity.  Currently 60% of the fifteen tenure-track faculty identify as women, 33% of tenure-track faculty are BIPOC, 30% of engineering students self-identify as underrepresented, 35% of engineering students are first in family to attend university, and 36% 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, and the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology.  Opportunities exist to collaborate with and/or conduct research through these entities.

Further information can be found online:

• School of Engineering: https://engineering.humboldt.edu/
• College of Natural Resources and Sciences: https://cnrs.humboldt.edu/
• Cal Poly Humboldt: https://www.humboldt.edu/
• Humboldt High Performance Computing Center: https://its.humboldt.edu/research/high-performance-computing

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES: Candidates should be committed to teaching excellence and to building a strong research record. Instructional assignments may include: Instructional assignments may include fundamental (lower division) engineering classes along with courses in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, and/or Environmental Resources Engineering, and/or at the graduate level, 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.

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: An earned Ph.D. 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;
• Record of, or potential for involving students in research and scholarly activity;
• 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;
• Demonstrated commitment to participating in professional development opportunities that build effectiveness in areas of inclusion, intercultural communication, and advancing diversity; and
• Evidence of potential for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; please see department’s criteria and standards for retention, tenure, and promotion for more information.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

• Experience within the private and/or public sector working with clients, stakeholders, and communities to develop engineering projects and/or analysis;
• Ability to develop, implement, and assess programs in ways that advance equitable and inclusive learning communities; 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 U.S. 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: https://www.humboldt.edu/academic-personnel-services/faculty-immigration-resources

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

• Letter of Application;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Diversity Statement, include your understanding of the barriers facing Black, Indigenous, and other people of Color (BIPOC) in higher education and your past and/or future contributions to inclusive student success, including equitable access and outcomes through teaching and professional or public service. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any contributions they have made towards the inclusivity of students from the LGBTIQ+ community. (2 page limit);
• 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: aps@humboldt.edu

Questions concerning this position may be directed to: Joshua Steimel, Search Committee Chair, jps132@humboldt.edu 

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.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than December 16, 2024, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university. Early response is encouraged.

See more photos at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Flickr page. 

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 hr@humboldt.edu

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: http://www.humboldt.edu