Tenure Track Position in Architectural Engineering

The Architectural Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) invites qualified applicants to apply for a full-time, academic year, tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor rank. This is an opportunity for candidates who are passionate about undergraduate education and structural engineering. Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” approach provides faculty a unique opportunity to balance teaching and scholarly activities in a collaborative classroom environment. The department’s mission is to educate students to be successful in the practice of structural engineering. Appointed candidate will be expected to teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students in classroom and laboratory settings. Teaching needs in the department include both structural analysis courses and structural design courses focused on building structures. Structural earthquake engineering is emphasized throughout the curriculum with collaboration among the departments within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Additional responsibilities to teaching include conducting applied scholarship with undergraduate and graduate students as well as advising students, professional engagement and participating in university service activities.

Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring range: $107,000 – $115,000 per year.

The position start date is August 17, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Either a doctorate in structural engineering or a closely related field, along with evidence of scholarship related to building structures, or a master’s degree in structural engineering, a structural engineering license or the equivalent, and significant professional engineering practice experience
• A demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language
• A demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning and teaching; collaboration in multidisciplinary settings; a willingness to perform service to the department, college, university, profession and community
• An ability to investigate in the areas of the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and/or teaching and share findings with the rest of the academic and professional community

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Special consideration will be given to candidates with experience in both the academic environment and structural engineering practice.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.  At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Architectural Engineering Department enjoys a longstanding national reputation for excellence, rigor, and innovation in offering a comprehensive undergraduate education in structural engineering. Interdisciplinary learning takes place in courses shared by architecture, construction management, and engineering students and provides understanding of the entire design-construction process. As one of five departments in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design it offers an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science major, a minor, and a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering. The department currently has approximately 8 full-time faculty, 12 part-time faculty, 300 undergraduate majors, and 16 master’s students. The department maintains close ties with industry through an active advisory council, engagement with professional associations and an extensive network of successful alumni. Admission is selective, students have their choice of internships, and graduates are in high demand.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation. It has approximately 21,000 undergraduate, 800 post-baccalaureate/graduate students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Cal Poly #1 among public master's universities in the western United States for 26 consecutive years. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically focused students 65 baccalaureate degrees and 39 master's degrees. Operating on the quarter calendar system, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn by Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Situated on 1,321 acres, 155 of which make up the campus core, Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs.

Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,500, just twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes, extraordinary temperate climate, and an abundance of outdoor activities.   

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide:

1. A letter of intent addressing how your experiences match the position requirements;

2. A curriculum vitae or detailed resume;

4. A statement of scholarly and research interests;

5. Unofficial transcripts from institutions at which an earned doctorate or an engineering master’s degree was awarded. Official transcripts will be required prior to initial appointment. 

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. References will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate at a later stage in the search.

Review of applications will begin December 8, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.