AI and Software Engineering Research Scientist — Edge Software Systems

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI TAS Initiative seeks an AI and Software Engineering Research Scientist to develop, mature, and prototype technologies for government and industry applications. You will directly collaborate with customers, guiding edge AI and AI-enabled systems from concept to transition while balancing immediate needs with long-term research goals.

You will contribute to edge software systems, including edge intelligence, edge-to-cloud, and UaX-Edge collaboration, and represent

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science, software engineering, machine learning, or related discipline.
• Strong empirical research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, mature, and prototype AI and edge software technologies.
• Apply work with government and industry customers, balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
• Represent technical work with customers, stakeholders, and the academic community.

Skills

Empirical research

Written communication

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in computer science or related

Job description

What We Do

The SEI’s Tactical Edge and AI-Enabled Systems (TAS) initiative advances and transitions AI and edge software capabilities with a focus on production-readiness of AI and edge systems and components. Examples include supporting small units operating in difficult edge environments that are often disconnected from enterprise computing infrastructure, such as tactical autonomy, first responders, space, and avionics systems. A natural outcome of our work is the advancement and transition of software engineering tools, methods, and approaches to enable production-readiness of AI systems and components.

What We Do

The SEI’s Tactical Edge and AI-Enabled Systems (TAS) initiative advances and transitions AI and edge software capabilities with a focus on production-readiness of AI and edge systems and components. Examples include supporting small units operating in difficult edge environments that are often disconnected from enterprise computing infrastructure, such as tactical autonomy, first responders, space, and avionics systems. A natural outcome of our work is the advancement and transition of software engineering tools, methods, and approaches to enable production-readiness of AI systems and components.

Position Summary

As an AI and Software Engineering Research Scientist in the TAS Initiative you will develop, mature, and prototype technologies, and transition these technologies to government and industry organizations. You will directly develop and apply work with customers, balancing short-term customer needs with long-term goals of solving complex technical challenges within the development of `tactical edge and AI-enabled systems. You will represent technical work with customers, stakeholders, and the academic community, while advancing the TAS research agenda in edge software systems, in areas such as:

• Edge AI in DDIL (degraded, disconnected, intermittent, limited) environments
• Edge Intelligence
• Edge-to-Cloud continuum
• UaX-Edge collaboration
• Software engineering for AI-enabled systems, including agentic AI systems

As part of the AI-native Software Engineering (AISE) directorate you will also be a part of the AISE Lab, advancing and learning about the state-of-the-art in AI-assisted tools and processes that are changing the practice of software engineering.

Requirements

• PhD in computer science, software engineering, machine learning, or related discipline
• Two (2) or more years of full-time professional experience engineering edge software systems in a research environment, or eight (8) or more years of demonstrated experience leading the development and transition of innovative software engineering techniques into operational practice
• Strong empirical research skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Development and deployment of edge software systems, or systems with similar technical challenges, into operational environments
• Ability to communicate research outcomes, demonstrated by a publication record which includes relevant top-tier venues in software engineering and AI
• Development of successful research proposals
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in teams with a variety of technical and organizational skills

Other Requirements

• Flexible to travel to sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings (~10% travel).
• Able and willing to work onsite at the SEI office in Pittsburgh, 5 days per week.
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Department of War) security clearance.

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.
• Statement of Assurance