Assistant Professor (Weapons, Robotics, and Control Engineering)
LOCATION:
Weapons, Robotics and Controls Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on December 18, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:
The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in beautiful downtown Annapolis, Maryland. As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional leaders in our naval service.
Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Weapons, Robotics and Controls Department invites applications for an assistant professor position with an anticipated start in summer 2027. Candidates should have a solid commitment to undergraduate teaching and to producing high-quality peer-reviewed research.
The successful applicant can expect to teach two or three classes, including lab courses, each semester with small class sizes (typically 16-20 students). The department is collegial and highly collaborative, with numerous opportunities for research and summer salary support within the institution and with nearby laboratories.
Duties and responsibilities:- Teach undergraduate courses in robotics and control systems.
- Conduct and publish high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarly research and present at technical conferences.
- Serve as a mentor to students for capstone (senior design) and independent research projects.
- Perform rank-appropriate service activities for the Department, School, and Institution.
This is an onsite, 10-month compensation model, excepted service federal position with an initial appointment of approximately 3-years, along with the anticipation of renewal, and opportunity for academic promotion to advanced rank. We offer a highly competitive salary, and full federal benefits. The ability to fill this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.
Salary Details:- Pay Band: AD-01 - AD-03
- Will be dependent on degree standing at time of start date.
- Approximate Starting Salary: $115,000 - $135,000
- Final salary will be determined based on:
- Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
- Availability of funds
MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Minimum Qualifications:- A Ph.D. in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other applicable STEM fields is required. For candidates currently pursuing an applicable Ph.D., an anticipated completion date no later than June 2027 is acceptable.
- Robotics
- Marine autonomy
- Computer vision
- Machine learning
- Artificial intelligence
- Nonlinear, linear, optimal, and/or adaptive control
- Biomechanics and Human-Robot Interaction
- Engineering design and Engineering Management
- Familiarity with the use and programming of microcontrollers is desirable but not mandatory
- Programming experience in Python, C, MATLAB, and/or other languages is desirable but not mandatory.
- Application and development experience with ROS and ideally ROS2 is desirable but not mandatory
- A demonstrated record of high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship at high-impact venues in robotics, control systems, or autonomous systems such as ICRA, IROS, RA-L, CoRL, CVPR, Transactions on Automatic Control, Automatica, IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, Conference on Decision and Control.
- Demonstrated potential to establish an active, viable research agenda involving undergraduate midshipmen and yielding regular peer-reviewed publications.
- Teaching Demonstration
- Presentation of the candidate's research and scholarship program
- On-campus interviews
- Executive-level interview
- Reference checks
HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:
Interested candidates should send an application package to the hiring manager and Search Committee, at robotics-and-control-engineering-hiring-2027-group@usna.edu
Application Packages need to contain:- Cover Letter
- Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position.
- 2 - page resume (we can only accept resumes up to two pages in length)
- This document must be sufficient on its own to assess whether the candidate meets all “Required Minimum Qualifications.”
- Contact information for three professional references
- Supplemental materials
- Teaching statement
- Research statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Candidates should arrange for three reference letters addressing strengths, ability, and experience in both teaching and research to be sent to the WRC Search Committee at robotics-and-control-engineering-hiring-2027-group@usna.edu. As appropriate, candidates are encouraged to describe their experience in and/or proposed approach to teaching, mentoring, and/or advising students from various backgrounds both inside and outside of the classroom environment. These types of authentic interactions are integral to the success of both the WRCE department and USNA.
Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found using this link. Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Please note: This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on December 18, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- Two-year trial period will typically be required.
- All Civilian Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. These investigations are conducted to ensure that individuals hired are trustworthy, of good conduct, and reliable. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
NOTICE TO VETERANS: This is a Title 10 excepted service position and is not subject to the Title 5 veterans’ preference provisions. While there is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference within the Title 10 excepted service, the Department of War considers veterans’ status a positive factor in all stages of the hiring process. Veterans are encouraged to clearly indicate their status in their cover letter or elsewhere in their application materials. Please do not submit official documentation (e.g., DD-214) or any personally identifiable information at this time.
NOTICE TO CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Separating service members will be eligible for employment to an excepted service position within 120 days of discharge given a Statement of Service can be provided. If selected, you will be required to submit a Statement of Service indicating your branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, your expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) The statement of service must be printed on command letterhead and signed by your command.
NOTICE TO RETIRING MILITARY: Retired service members cannot be appointed to DOD civilian positions within 180 days of retiring. As such, they must observe a 180 day waiting period starting from their date of retirement. USNA does not waive this waiting period requirement for excepted service positions.
NOTICE TO RETIRED FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES: Please note that the criteria for the hiring of federal annuitants are highly restricted and this vacancy is not likely to meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants. Reemployed Annuitants will only be considered if multiple recruitment efforts do not produce a qualified candidate. The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf .
NOTICE FOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
– OR –
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of credibility of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
The Department of the Navy provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they require reasonable accommodation should contact our Human Resource Office to ensure that the Department of the Navy can consider such requests. The decision to grant an accommodation will be made on a case by case basis.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Announcement: WRC-2027-1
The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
