Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering (Florida Institute of Technology)

Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS) Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA Start Date: August 2026 Position Description The Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS) at the Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for multiple full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in the Aerospace Engineering program, beginning August 2026. Successful candidates are expected to: Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Develop and sustain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program. Contribute to service at the departmental, college, university, and professional levels. A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment. Areas of Interest We seek candidates with research interests and expertise in one or more of the following areas: Aerospace Composite Structures Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Space Instrumentation Digital Engineering of Aerospace Systems Applicants with exceptional qualifications in other areas of aerospace engineering are also encouraged to apply. Both theoretical and experimental backgrounds will be considered. Department and Facilities The Aerospace Engineering program is one of the largest at Florida Tech, serving over 500 undergraduate and 70 graduate students. The department’s 34 faculty members represent a wide range of fields including aerospace engineering, physics, astrophysics, astronomy, astrobiology, and planetary sciences. Current faculty research strengths include: Space vehicle dynamics and control Intelligent and autonomous aerospace systems Mechanics of advanced composites and cellular structures Structural health monitoring of composites High-fidelity numerical flow simulations Modeling of advanced energetic materials Florida Tech has recently invested over $14 million in upgrading research infrastructure, including: Composites manufacturing and testing facilities (autoclave, walk-in oven, ultrasonic C-scan, multi-axial load frame) Materials characterization equipment (SEM, TEM, AFM, micro-CT scanner) Spacecraft manufacturing and testing facilities (ISO 6 clean rooms, thermal vacuum chambers, Sun simulator, vibration shaker, and satellite ADCS test stand with air bearing and Helmholtz cage) For more information about the department, visit: https://www.fit.edu/apss/ About Florida Tech Founded in 1958 at the dawn of the Space Race, Florida Institute of Technology is a private, doctoral-granting, research-intensive university located on the Space Coast of Florida. Fast Facts: Ranked a Top 100 Best Value University by U.S. News & World Report 17th in U.S. Graduate Employability (Global Employability University Ranking) Top 6% Best Return on Investment (Payscale) 9,200+ students and 424 faculty members across four colleges Notable alumni include five space shuttle astronauts, the first female four-star general in U.S. military history, and a National Teacher of the Year The 130-acre Melbourne campus is located: 2 miles from Melbourne Airport 6 miles from the Atlantic Ocean 45 miles from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center 75 miles from the Orlando metropolitan area Application Instructions All applications must be submitted online through the Florida Tech Employment webpage. Applicants should upload a single PDF document containing the following: Cover letter Curriculum Vitae Statement of research experience and interests Statement of teaching experience and philosophy Contact information for at least three references Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled. For inquiries, please contact: Dr. Donald Platt Department Head, Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences ???? Email: dplatt@fit.edu Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Florida Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, sex, or any other legally protected status in its programs and activities. Inquiries concerning the application of the university’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to: Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901 ???? equalopp@fit.edu \| ☎ +1 321-674-7153 Applicants requiring accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Office of Human Resources at +1 321-674-8100 at least five days in advance. Additional Information Official transcripts of all collegiate work must be sent directly from the attended institution to the Office of Human Resources prior to the first day of employment. International degrees must include a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-accredited evaluation company. Florida Tech is an E-Verify employer. For campus safety information, see the 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS)
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA
Start Date: August 2026

Position Description

The Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences (APSS) at the Florida Institute of Technology invites applications for multiple full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in the Aerospace Engineering program, beginning August 2026.

Successful candidates are expected to:

Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Develop and sustain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program.
Contribute to service at the departmental, college, university, and professional levels.

A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field is required at the time of appointment.

Areas of Interest

We seek candidates with research interests and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Aerospace Composite Structures
Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics
Space Instrumentation
Digital Engineering of Aerospace Systems

Applicants with exceptional qualifications in other areas of aerospace engineering are also encouraged to apply. Both theoretical and experimental backgrounds will be considered.

Department and Facilities

The Aerospace Engineering program is one of the largest at Florida Tech, serving over 500 undergraduate and 70 graduate students. The department’s 34 faculty members represent a wide range of fields including aerospace engineering, physics, astrophysics, astronomy, astrobiology, and planetary sciences.

Current faculty research strengths include:

Space vehicle dynamics and control
Intelligent and autonomous aerospace systems
Mechanics of advanced composites and cellular structures
Structural health monitoring of composites
High-fidelity numerical flow simulations
Modeling of advanced energetic materials

Florida Tech has recently invested over $14 million in upgrading research infrastructure, including:

Composites manufacturing and testing facilities (autoclave, walk-in oven, ultrasonic C-scan, multi-axial load frame)
Materials characterization equipment (SEM, TEM, AFM, micro-CT scanner)
Spacecraft manufacturing and testing facilities (ISO 6 clean rooms, thermal vacuum chambers, Sun simulator, vibration shaker, and satellite ADCS test stand with air bearing and Helmholtz cage)

For more information about the department, visit: https://www.fit.edu/apss/

About Florida Tech

Founded in 1958 at the dawn of the Space Race, Florida Institute of Technology is a private, doctoral-granting, research-intensive university located on the Space Coast of Florida.

Fast Facts:

Ranked a Top 100 Best Value University by U.S. News & World Report
17th in U.S. Graduate Employability (Global Employability University Ranking)
Top 6% Best Return on Investment (Payscale)
9,200+ students and 424 faculty members across four colleges
Notable alumni include five space shuttle astronauts, the first female four-star general in U.S. military history, and a National Teacher of the Year

The 130-acre Melbourne campus is located:

2 miles from Melbourne Airport
6 miles from the Atlantic Ocean
45 miles from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
75 miles from the Orlando metropolitan area

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online through the Florida Tech Employment webpage.

Applicants should upload a single PDF document containing the following:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Statement of research experience and interests
Statement of teaching experience and philosophy
Contact information for at least three references

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled.

For inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Donald Platt
Department Head, Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences
???? Email: dplatt@fit.edu

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Florida Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, sex, or any other legally protected status in its programs and activities.

Inquiries concerning the application of the university’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to:
Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator
150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901
???? equalopp@fit.edu | ☎ +1 321-674-7153

Applicants requiring accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Office of Human Resources at +1 321-674-8100 at least five days in advance.

Additional Information

Official transcripts of all collegiate work must be sent directly from the attended institution to the Office of Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.
International degrees must include a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-accredited evaluation company.
Florida Tech is an E-Verify employer.
For campus safety information, see the 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.