Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.

Mechanical engineering Ph.D. students at Florida Tech conduct research in a collaborative, mentorship-driven and interdisciplinary environment.

The program emphasizes industry-relevant, solutions-oriented research that integrates physical systems with intelligent computation to develop adaptive, high-performance technologies.

Student research spans established and emerging areas of mechanical engineering, including applications of artificial intelligence, computer vision and robotics. Recent work has explored autonomous systems, defect detection, medical imaging and data-driven modeling of complex physical processes.

Florida Tech’s mechanical engineering faculty combine extensive practical experience with active, high-impact research.

Their expertise spans mechanics, materials, energy systems, robotics and intelligent design, advancing work in areas such as autonomous systems, additive manufacturing, thermal efficiency and next-generation materials.

As a Ph.D. student, you work closely with faculty mentors whose research and perspective prepare you for leadership in academia, industry or government.

Mechanical engineering Ph.D. students have access to advanced facilities supporting experimentation, fabrication and simulation.

Research infrastructure includes specialized laboratories in the F.W. Olin Engineering Complex, the L3Harris Student Design Center and fully equipped machine and welding shops for prototype development.

Additional resources support advanced manufacturing, materials characterization, coatings research, dynamic systems, optics and instrumentation, as well as high-performance computing through the AI.Panther HPC Cluster.

Academic units at Florida Tech may offer graduate student assistantships to full-time, degree-seeking graduate students on a competitive basis.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) support faculty in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, including tasks such as grading, tutoring and conducting office hours. First-time TAs attend a teaching assistant seminar to prepare for their responsibilities.

Research Assistants (RAs) collaborate with faculty on projects funded by government agencies, private sponsors and university research funds.

For current information about assistantships, please contact the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering.

Florida Tech is located in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast, a region known for aerospace and technology innovation.

Proximity to NASA-Kennedy Space Center, industry partners and government organizations provides opportunities for research collaboration and professional engagement, supporting both doctoral research and career development.

Florida Tech offers a safe and welcoming campus environment that supports advanced research alongside personal well-being. The campus includes extensive green spaces, such as the Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden, along with facilities like the Holzer Health Center and Clemente Center for health, fitness and stress management.

Located minutes from the Indian River Lagoon and 72 miles of Atlantic beaches, the university combines access to outdoor recreation with proximity to industry and government organizations that contribute to research collaboration and career development.

Graduate students from around the world come together at Florida Tech in a campus community that fosters international collaboration and innovation. This environment encourages students to work across cultures and perspectives, preparing them for research and professional settings around the globe.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports international students throughout their academic journey, providing guidance on immigration matters, serving as a liaison with sponsoring agencies and foreign governments, and sharing information about campus and community resources.

Applicants with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field and strong preparation in foundational science and mathematics are encouraged to apply.

Qualified students in Florida Tech’s mechanical engineering master’s program may apply to pursue the Ph.D. after completing at least 18 credit hours of graduate coursework.

Prospective students are encouraged to review ongoing mechanical engineering research and identify faculty whose work aligns with their interests. Early contact with faculty provides an opportunity to discuss research directions, build connections and begin shaping a path as a doctoral researcher at Florida Tech.

Please see our graduate admission requirements for more information about applying and admission.