Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering

Special Instructions

All applications must be submitted via the UTRGV application portal at https://careers.utrgv.edu. Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Security sensitive: All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Position Information

Posting Number: FRGV2083
Working Title: Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering
Number of Vacancies: multiple
Location: Brownsville, Texas
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position: 3 years
Tenure Status: Non Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0

Scope of Job

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 2027, 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. Before Fall 2026, the department only offered 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 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, 2026.

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 at https://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/.

Minimum Qualifications

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, 2027). Prospective candidates in all mechanical engineering areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Discipline Specific Required Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

License or Certification Required? No
Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2027

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

Open Date: 10/21/2026

Additional Information

UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Security sensitive: All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.

Please Note

Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.

Required Documents

Curriculum Vitae
Unofficial Transcripts
List of 3 References
Letter of Interest
Research Statement
Teaching Philosophy

Professor of Practice (Open Rank) - Mechanical Engineering