He is the current deputy rector for academic and student affairs of the University of Indonesia (UI), serving since 16 December 2024.

Upon completing his master's studies, in 1995 he became the secretary of UI's gas and petrochemical engineering department under Andy Noorsaman, who would later become the director general of electricity.

[5] After obtaining full professorship, Mahmud was appointed by the engineering faculty's dean, Dedi Priadi, as the head of the Academic Quality Development Unit.

Twelve days later, Mahmud was appointed as the deputy rector for academic and student affairs by Heri Hermansyah.

[11] As acting dean, Mahmud oversaw the establishment of a skill center at the engineering faculty in cooperation with Alibaba Cloud.