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About the job

What We Do

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software engineering and cybersecurity and serves as a national resource for secure, resilient software systems. The SEI works closely with academia, the U.S. Department of War, other government organizations, and industry to improve the development, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems.

Our core purpose is to help organizations acquire and operate software-reliant systems that are secure, reliable, sustainable, and mission-effective, delivered on time and within budget.

If you are creative, curious, collaborative, technology-focused, and motivated to solve complex problems in support of national defense, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to support U.S. Navy customers in the acquisition of a software-based maintenance and readiness application critical to fleet operations and national security. This position provides technical leadership across the software acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis, software development oversight, risk reduction, and sustainment planning. The role requires close collaboration with Naval Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and Program Management Offices (PMOs), sustainment organizations, contractors, and fleet stakeholders to ensure software solutions meet operational, maintainability, and long-term supportability requirements.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on software expertise (C/C++) with experience supporting Naval acquisition programs, legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments. This role includes guiding technical teams, evaluating architectural tradeoffs, developing prototypes, analyzing existing source code, and leading customer engagements that inform acquisition and sustainment decisions.

What You’ll Do

Support Naval software acquisition and sustainment activities in accordance with DoD 5000-series acquisition guidance, including architecture analysis, software engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and long-term sustainment planning

Provide technical leadership for a fleet-facing maintenance and readiness application supporting operational availability across afloat and ashore environments

Advise Navy Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), and government stakeholders on software design decisions, technical risks, modernization strategies, and tradeoffs associated with large, legacy-dependent systems

Lead software development efforts from concept through deployment, with an emphasis on C and C++-based implementations supporting high-performance and mission-critical use cases

Demonstrate software architecture expertise by developing and maintaining design artifacts such as data-flow diagrams, sequence diagrams, interface control definitions, and quality attribute specifications to support scalable, maintainable, and resilient solutions

Analyze existing source code, system interfaces, and data flows to identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernization opportunities.

Develop prototypes and technical demonstrations to support risk reduction, acquisition decision-making, and capability maturation

Collaborate with senior U.S. Navy and government stakeholders, contractors, integrators, SEI staff, and leadership to assess needs and deliver technically sound recommendations

Lead and mentor a team of developers, fostering disciplined engineering practices, continuous improvement, and mission focus

Support customer engagements such as technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design reviews, and acquisition milestone activities, providing clear, defensible technical input

Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, software development best practices, and Naval digital modernization initiatives relevant to sustainment and maintenance systems

Who You Are

Ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War (DoW) security clearance; an existing SECRET or higher clearance is preferred

Previous experience leading, architecting, or developing large scale Navy acquisition programs including Aegis Combat System, SM-series interceptors, Sea Sparrow Missile System and/or Surface Electronic Warfare programs

Previous experience working with large scale Naval Command elements such as NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVWAR, NAVFAC, NIWC or their predecessors such as SPAWAR

Education and Experience Requirements:

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline with ten (10) years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience

Proven experience designing and implementing complex software architectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focused systems

Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and balance architecture drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-term maintainability

Deep understanding of C and C++ software development, including analysis of existing codebases

Working knowledge of C#, Java, and Python

Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including the use of static analysis tools and techniques to improve software quality and security

Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and engage credibly with government and contractor stakeholders

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to government decision-makers

Willingness to work directly with U.S. military and government stakeholders in support of mission success

Ability to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings

Why Work Here

Our benefits philosophy centers on choice, control, and well-being. Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

The opportunity to join a world-class organization with a significant impact on government software systems

Work alongside leading experts to solve high-consequence national security challenges

An 8% employer retirement contribution with no employee contribution requirement

Tuition benefits for you and your dependent children

Access to university resources, including wellness programs, transit benefits, and onsite fitness facilities at select locations

Paid parental leave and military leave

Eligibility for relocation assistance and additional benefits

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits , take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays , and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location Pittsburgh, PA Job Function Software/Applications Development/Engineering Position Type Staff – Regular Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis Salary More Information:

Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .

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