Distinguished Visiting Professor (Heinlein Chair)

LOCATION: 

Aerospace Engineering Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

APPLICATION TIMELINE: 

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on June 22, 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 Aerospace Engineering Department invites applications for a part-time distinguished professor in the field of astronautics to fill the Robert A. Heinlein Chair in Aerospace Engineering, starting as early as late Fall 2026. Created in honor of the award winning novelist and alumnus Robert A. Heinlein (USNA '29), the Heinlein Chair has made outstanding contributions to teaching, curriculum development, and professional leadership within the astronautics curriculum. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Curriculum Leadership and Instruction: Lead the strategic development and modernization of the astronautics curriculum. Provide expert instruction in the program, including areas such as spacecraft systems, space environment, or capstone design, while fostering pedagogical innovation across the department.
• Scholarship and Research involving Students: Support the Academy’s mission through scholarly activities and research pursuits that engage Midshipmen. The Chair may seek outside research funding within Navy regulations and Naval Academy practice.
• Professional Growth and Mentorship: Drive professional excellence through active leadership in relevant associations and scholarship. Contribute to the broader mission of the Academy by mentoring faculty and leading professional development activities.

This is an on-site, 10-month salaried, federal excepted service position. This position is fully funded through philanthropic funding sources received by the Naval Academy and will be funded at a part-time level (~60hr/pay period). In the unanticipated scenario wherein, such funds were not available, you would be placed in a Leave-Without-Pay (LWOP) status. As an employee under a 10-month compensation model, you will be required to take 343 hours of Leave-Without-Pay (LWOP) throughout the year, typically within the May to July timeframe. Salary range will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

Salary Details:

• Pay Band: AD-09 - Classification 13
• Approximate Starting Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000
  • Based on part-time, 10-month, compensation model
• Final Salary Will be determined based on:
  • Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
  • Availability of funds from a gift fund (i.e., the position is supported by a designated or restricted funding source)

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications (required prior to start date): 

• A Master’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution, or a Bachelor’s degree combined with significant (5+) years career experience in relevant aerospace engineering, operations, and technical leadership contexts.

Additional Preferred Qualifications: 

• A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• A capacity to perform effectively in a university environment including a strong commitment to undergraduate engineering education and excellent communications skills.
• Technical expertise in satellite attitude dynamics, electronics development, and/or satellite on-board command and data handling.
• Significant experiences as a technical leader in the field of astronautics and spacecraft development, including areas such as systems engineering, satellite operations, and space logistics management.
• A capacity to conduct scholarly research, which should involve midshipmen.

FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS:

• Teaching Demonstration 
• Executive level interview
• Presentation of the candidate’s vision for supporting the Aerospace Engineering major program and the broader USNA mission   
• On campus interviews
• Reference Checks

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION: 

Interested candidates should send an application package to the hiring manager and Dr. Jin Kang, at heinlein-positions2026-group@usna.edu. 

• 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.”  
• Supplemental materials
  • Statement for the Heinlein Chair outlining the candidate’s vision for leveraging their expertise to advance the academic and professional growth of Aerospace Engineering midshipmen, as well as the broader Brigade where applicable.
  • Transcripts  
• Contact information for three professional references

Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here. 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 in June 22, 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.

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  

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: AERO-2026-1

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer