Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

The SEI is a community that partners with government and industry to secure critical infrastructure, improve mission-critical systems, and advance software. You’ll collaborate with industry and academia on unique research projects, working alongside talented individuals who bring diverse perspectives to create innovation. The SEI supports work-life balance, values integrity, collaboration, curiosity, and excellence, and fosters a welcoming, high-performing workplace where employees thrive.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner to serve as a strategic talent advisor, helping the SEI attract and hire exceptional engineers, researchers, and technologists. In this role, you’ll partner with leaders across technical and programmatic teams to identify intellectually curious, mission-driven individuals capable of solving complex software challenges. Your work will shape the future of the SEI by connecting top talent with meaningful work that advances our national mission. This role reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic recruiter and talent advisor to SEI’s leadership and technical teams, ensuring alignment between hiring needs and our mission-driven culture.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from requisition intake and job posting through candidate selection, offer negotiation, and successful pre-boarding, with a focus on quality, integrity, and timeliness.
• Partner with hiring leaders to develop recruiting strategies, hiring plans, and realistic timelines for critical technical positions.
• Design and deploy targeted sourcing strategies using professional networks, academic partnerships, and innovative sourcing approaches.
• Deliver an exceptional candidate experience by maintaining proactive communication, professionalism, and transparency throughout the recruitment process.
• Collaborate with teammates to challenge assumptions, learn from one another, and develop thoughtful solutions that strengthen our work.
• Champion process improvement and innovation by testing recruiting tools, identifying automation opportunities, and optimizing workflows while preserving a high-touch, personalized candidate experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive recruiting experience, including demonstrated success in technical talent acquisition, particularly for roles in software engineering, cybersecurity, AI/ML, systems engineering, data science, or related domains.
• Proven ability to quickly grasp complex technical roles, speak credibly with engineers and researchers, and evaluate candidate fit even without deep technical expertise.
• Experience using Workday or other applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Demonstrated experience balancing multiple priorities with discipline, precision, and adaptability.
• Strong problem-solving skills when solutions are not obvious.
• History of thriving in cross-functional, team-based settings—listening first, asking clarifying questions, and building trust through transparency and follow-through.

Additional Traits

• Mission Driven: You’re energized by purpose-driven work and see recruitment as a direct contribution to national security and public good.
• Collaborative Partner: You build trusted relationships through listening, thoughtful questions, transparency, and follow-through.
• Strategic & Curious: You approach talent strategy like an engineering problem: measure, diagnose, hypothesize, test, and iterate. You’re drawn to processes, metrics, and continuous improvement.
• Integrity & Judgment: You exercise sound judgment, protect confidential information, and earn trust through ethical decision-making.

Other Considerations

• Occasional travel up to 10% domestically for recruitment events and meetings.
• This position is fully onsite 5 days per week at the SEI in Pittsburgh, PA.
• You will be subject to a background investigation.

At the SEI, your work helps strengthen the people and technology that underpin national security. If you’re driven by purpose, grounded in practice, and ready to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Position Type: Staff – Regular, Full-time