Senior AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher

About the role

We focus on how today's engineering teams can quickly exploit emerging technologies and harness AI capabilities to create and evolve software quickly without losing fundamental software qualities. As an AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher, you will:

• Conduct research in the application of AI to industry- and government-scale software engineering problems
• Apply your research in government and industry settings
• Disseminate results to engineering teams and the broader research and software engineering community
• Shape our AI-Native Software Engineering strategy by exploring challenges such as:
  • Assessing the rapidly changing capabilities of AI models and coding agents
  • Establishing metrics that help organizations understand their use of AI in development and guiding them through improvements
  • Identifying gaps in AI workflows that result in poor outcomes (e.g., excessive technical debt, bad architecture decisions, or frequent rework loops)
  • Creating novel agents or agentic workflows
  • Creating or adapting practices and workflows to embed software engineering disciplines
  • Studying the cost implications of AI and developing strategies for more efficient use of AI (e.g., context management, token management, and balancing use of AI with non-AI approaches)

You will have the opportunity to work with world-class software engineers, researchers, and data scientists on national and global-scale problems.

Requirements

• PhD with at least five (5) years of relevant experience
• Subject to a background investigation; must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance
• Willing to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of your home location (travel sites include SEI offices in Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences)

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of software engineering fundamentals
• Ability to keep up with and adapt to rapidly changing technical advances
• Track record of conducting research and applying scientific methods to solve difficult problems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical ideas in layperson’s terms
• Demonstrated track record publishing in top-tier peer-reviewed venues
• Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors
• Proficiency in writing funding proposals or pitching ideas for new research projects
• Willingness and ability to guide and mentor junior team members

Desired Experience

• Experience leading research projects in novel areas
• Successful application of AI to improve research or software engineering progress
• Experience working with software engineering teams on large industry or government projects
• Experience working with leadership to plan, develop, and deliver an overall technical strategy

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• Tuition benefits
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
• Access to Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs
• Fitness center access

Pay

Salary

Schedule

• Full time

Location: Pittsburgh, PA