Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Hypersonics and Space

About the role

The Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for multiple 9-month, full-time faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-earning), or Associate Professor (tenured).

Technical Fields of Interest

• Additive and Advanced Manufacturing for Hypersonics and Space
• Cryogenic and Supercritical Propellant Systems Design, Analysis and Testing
• Laser Diagnostics and Sensors in Hypersonic and Extreme Environments
• Mathematical Foundations of AI, Uncertainty Quantification, and Reduced Order Modeling for Hypersonics and Space
• or any related areas of research in the broader fields of hypersonics and space.

Anticipated Start Date

The anticipated start date is August 8, 2026.

Research Impact

The successful candidates will work at the intersection of the relevant research areas associated with the aforementioned themes and will have research impact, as reflected in high-quality publications and the ability to build a funded and sustainable research program.

Team Player

We are looking for team players who can contribute to current campus efforts in hypersonics and space research.

Location

Central Florida has long been the center of space activities. With NASA Kennedy Space Center less than an hour from Orlando, several well-known companies such as Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, and Lockheed Martin have their major headquarters in Orlando. Others such as Pratt & Whitney (Raytheon), Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, and SpaceX have their headquarters within easily drivable distances. All these companies share the same talent pools available in this region. UCF’s Orlando location also puts it at the center of the Florida High Tech Corridor. The corridor has an excellent industrial base that includes software, defense, space, simulation and training, and a world-renowned entertainment industry. Adjacent to UCF is a thriving research park that conducts over $2 billion in funded research, hosting more than 100 high-tech companies and UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training.

The UCF HYPERSPACE Center

The UCF HYPERSPACE Center is a Center of Excellence (COE) for Hypersonics and Space Propulsion at the University of Central Florida. The motivation of the center is Speed and Space with the goal of achieving ultra-high-speed flight through our atmosphere, and efficient planetary entry and exit, making space exploration and intercontinental travel as routine as intercity travel is today. The center is a national and world leading center in hypersonic and space propulsion, modeling, aerodynamics, laser diagnostics/sensors, extreme environment materials, and additive/advanced manufacturing with Government and Industry funding. The center is a hub for world-class hypersonic wind tunnels and facilities, advanced hypersonic research, training and education, technology development and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in an area appropriate to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or Applied Mathematics at the time of appointment.
• A record of scholarly publications or sponsored research related to hypersonics.
• To be eligible for appointment as a tenured associate professor upon hire, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at that rank.

Preferred Qualifications

• A sustained record of external research funding in hypersonics and space, as well as experience leading large, multidisciplinary proposal teams.
• Evidence of research productivity through publications in reputable, peer-reviewed venues is expected.
• Experience mentoring students, a history of collaborative research, and strong proficiency in written and oral English communication.
• A clearly articulated and focused research plan that supports collaborative and transformative work in hypersonics and space.