AI-Driven Software Engineering Researcher

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

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) seeks an AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher to advance AI-native software engineering through pioneering research and practical engineering methods in collaboration with government, industry, and academia.

The role focuses on developing agents and workflows that accelerate AI-paced software delivery while preserving quality and security.

Qualifications

• PhD required with at least two years of experience
• Willing to travel up to 25% to locations outside home base
• Background investigation and DoD security clearance required

Responsibilities

• Assess rapidly changing AI model and coding agent capabilities
• Establish metrics for evaluating AI in development and guiding improvements
• Identify gaps in AI workflows leading to debt or rework
• Create novel agents or agentic workflows
• Adapt practices to embed software engineering discipline
• Study cost implications of AI and strategize token/context management

Skills

Software engineering fundamentals

Research leadership

Scientific publication track record

Written & verbal communication

Mentoring

Proposal writing

Collaboration

Education

PhD

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) seeks an AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher to advance AI-native software engineering through pioneering research and practical engineering methods in collaboration with government, industry, and academia.

The role focuses on developing agents and workflows that accelerate AI-paced software delivery while preserving quality and security.