Position Rank and Title: Professor, Department Chair – Aviation and Technology

School/Department Name: College of Engineering/ Department of Aviation and Technology

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary: $140,000 - $176,400

Department Chairs receive additional compensation proportional to their Chair appointment time base (60% for this position). Anticipated additional compensation: $26,400 - $32,808         

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.  See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August 2026

Application Deadline: January 12, 2026 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description

The Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering at San Jose State University (SJSU) is pleased to announce a search for the position of Department Chair for the Department of Aviation and Technology. The Department has an enrollment of over 900 students in its aviation and technology programs and has a strong relationship with local industry through continuous support of its Industry Advisory Boards. The Department Chair will provide visionary leadership for the department and must have a substantive record of published research, teaching effectiveness, and professional achievements. The Department Chair will provide academic and administrative leadership, promote excellence in research and teaching, and manage and secure resources for the department.

The Department of Aviation and Technology offers a BS degree program in Aviation, a BS degree program and a MS degree program in Technology. The BS degree program in Aviation has four options: 1) Professional Flight, 2) Airline Operations, 3) Aviation Management, and 4) Maintenance Management. Our Aviation Program is ranked #1 on the West Coast of the US and is ranked #4 nationally. The BS degree program in Technology has two concentrations: 1) Computer Network System Management (CNSM) and 2) Manufacturing Systems. The Computer Network System Management prepares students to meet the demand by industry in recruiting graduates with knowledge, skills, and experience in Computer Network Systems. The Manufacturing Systems prepares students with modern tools related to Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and data analytics in Advance Factory Operation and Modern Manufacturing Ecosystem. The Department of Aviation and Technology website is at https://www.sjsu.edu/avtech/index.php

The Department of Aviation and Technology and San José State University value inclusive excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll nearly 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Inclusive Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success and inclusive education. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Inclusive Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• A Doctorate degree in an engineering/science/technology related field such as aeronautics, aviation, electrical, electronics, computer, networking, software, etc.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, scholarly achievement, and service (both academically and professionally), at a level qualifying for appointment as a (Full) Professor per SJSU Policy S15-8.

• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Prior experience in university academic administrative positions (such as Department Chair or similar positions).
• Experience with project management, strategic planning, and budgeting.
• Experience with developing and maintaining strong relations with industry, alumni, and more (e.g., civic leaders, department chairs at other universities).
• A minimum of five years of teaching experience.

Key Responsibilities

• The Department Chair is responsible for the following:
• developing and implementing strategic vision and goals
• ensuring high-quality educational programs
• improving student learning experience
• supporting faculty and staff development
• ensuring the effective and efficient operations of the department
• promoting the department while contributing to the community
• complying with governing policies (e.g., federal, state, California State University (CSU), SJSU Academic Senate, College of Engineering, CFA Bargaining Agreement).
• Faculty will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Other Duties

Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution.

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• letter of interest (2 pages max.)
• curriculum vitae
• inclusive excellence statement (dedicated statement or addressed in letter of interest) (2 pages max.)
• statement of teaching interests/philosophy (2 pages max.)
• research plans (2 pages max.)
• three letters of reference with contact information or three references whom we may contact for letters

Inquiries may be directed to the Interim Department Chair: Dr. Thuy T. Le, thuy.le@sjsu.edu

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on-campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.

San José State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley — one of the most innovative regions in the world — San José State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. Recognized as a leading transformative educational institution, San José State is an essential partner in the technological, economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting-edge research, world-class scholarship, student-centered learning, diverse communities, and commitment to social justice, allow SJSU to provide life-changing opportunities and advance the public good locally and globally.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Campus Security and Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

About San Jose State University

San Jose State University is a destination for dreamers, innovators and high achievers. Our campus sees countless new discoveries every day?from faculty members cutting-edge research to students who discover new passions in the classroom. Discover SJSU by learning about the university's history or finding out what's happening on campus today.

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