The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (AOE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Aerospace Optimization at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, depending on qualifications effective August 2026.  We seek exceptional candidates with expertise in the theory and application of optimization to aerospace systems. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to: Optimization under uncertainty and robust design methods, Real-time and embedded optimization for guidance, navigation, and control, Large-scale or distributed optimization for complex aerospace systems, Machine learning, reduced-order modeling, surrogate modeling, and data-driven approaches with applications to aerospace optimization, Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO). Candidates will be expected to develop and sustain a strong, externally funded research program; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; and advise students at all levels. The successful candidate will also contribute to the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize curricula and expand interdisciplinary research in advanced aerospace system design and operation.

The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/) includes 45 faculty members overseeing more than $14M in annual research expenditures, with approximately 260 full-time graduate students and 700 undergraduate students. With its highly regarded teaching and research programs, the Kevin T. Crofton Department provides a unique environment for collaboration beyond the traditional boundaries of both ocean and aerospace engineering. The Aerospace and Ocean Engineering team benefits from university-wide institutes such as the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (https://nationalsecurity.vt.edu/), the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research or Space@VT (https://www.space.vt.edu/), and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (https://ictas.vt.edu/) that includes the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, or MAAP, UAS test site (https://maap.ictas.vt.edu/). College-level centers include the Center for Research and Engineering in Aero/hydrodynamic Technology or CREATe (https://create.centers.vt.edu/), the Pratt & Whitney Center of Excellence, the Rolls-Royce University Technology Center, and the Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics. Major facilities include the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel, Ship Model Basin, an indoor motion capture lab, and two outdoor UAS flight facilities (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/research/facilities/keas.html, https://drones.ictas.vt.edu/dronepark.html). AOE faculty manage laboratories covering all current department disciplines and application areas (https://www.aoe.vt.edu/research/facilities.html).

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering undergraduate program ranks 13th and graduate program ranks 15th according to 2025 USN&WR rankings. The Mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.  Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance and stewardship. 

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cory Thompson at coryt10@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/534214/open-rank-faculty-in-aerospace-optimization.  Application materials must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae including a list of published journal articles and pedagogical achievements; a research statement and plan; a statement of teaching philosophy including the candidate’s ideas for supporting an equitable and inclusive educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community and contact information for at least three references. Specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Review of applications will commence on December 1, 2025, and continue until the positions are filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to search committee chair Dr. Todd Lowe at kelowe@vt.edu.

Applicants must hold an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment. Applicants should demonstrate potential for excellence in research and teaching (for Assistant rank) or evidence of sustained accomplishments in both areas (for Associate/Full Professor ranks). Successful applicants will be responsible for mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, teaching and developing courses, and developing a vibrant externally sponsored research program.