AI Safety Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Life insurance

Bus pass

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI seeks an AI Safety Lead to guide research and customer projects focused on safe AI in software systems. You will ensure delivery aligns with customer needs, quality standards, and timelines while collaborating across SEI and CMU teams to foster technical excellence and innovation.

You will lead strategic planning, engage with customers, and help shape field AI systems for speed and trust, advancing national security through rigorous engineering practices.

Qualifications

• Requires advanced degree with substantial experience in software engineering and AI safety.
• Travel to SEI/CMU sites, conferences, and sponsor locations may be required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI Safety technical solution strategies.
• Lead planning and execution of AI Safety projects.
• Coordinate across SEI and CMU support functions.
• Serve as primary technical liaison to customers and conduct regular reviews.
• Contribute to strategic planning using customer feedback and performance data.
• Represent the RFHAS portfolio in AI safety with customers and collaborators.

Skills

Technical leadership

Solutions engineering

Quality focus

Communication

Education

PhD in CS/EE

MS in CS/EE

BS in CS/EE

Job description

Who We Are

The SEI conducts research and development and advance software engineering practices. The SEI serves as a national resource in software engineering and computer security. The SEI works closely with academia, defense and government organizations, and industry to continually improve software-intensive systems. Our core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software that is defect free, within budget and on time, every time.

Who We Are

The SEI conducts research and development and advance software engineering practices. The SEI serves as a national resource in software engineering and computer security. The SEI works closely with academia, defense and government organizations, and industry to continually improve software-intensive systems. Our core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software that is defect free, within budget and on time, every time.

What We Do

The Rapid Fielding of High Assurance (RFHAS) directorate conducts research and development activities to accelerate the fielding of software-reliant systems with high-assurance. This involves accelerating and automating the development cycle to support continuous development while at the same time connected with assurance techniques that incorporate formal models in a practical and scalable way. These techniques include Model-Based Systems Engineering and the automating power of AI for Software Engineering (SE) but also SE to exploit the power of AI with high confidence.

Position Summary

As an AI Safety Lead you will work closely with our researchers and engineers to lead, plan, and execute customer projects that address the challenges of exploiting AI in software development and also incorporating AI into software systems while ensuring its safe operation. You will ensure that the project performance meet expectations, the deliverables are on time, and the project meet the customer needs. You will partner across SEI technical and support staff to create a culture of technical excellence, creativity and innovation. You will also contribute to shape the approaches to field AI systems at the speed and trust of relevance.

Who You Are

• Technical Leadership:You have experience managing complex technical projects from initiation through delivery, including planning and scheduling, resource coordination, risk tracking, milestone management, and assessments. You can organize cross-functional teams and keep execution on track across multiple concurrent efforts.
• Solutions Engineer: You partner with our technical team to create and maintain strong working relationships with our customers, conducting regular check-ins to assess satisfaction, gather feedback, and ensure alignment between delivered work and customer priorities. You translate customer needs into actionable technical requirements for project teams.
• Quality-Driven: You ensure deliverables meet both mission partner expectations and SEI standards. You conduct regular project reviews, identify quality gaps, develop corrective actions, and verify that SEI standards for safety, security, and compliance are satisfied.
• Outcome-Focused:You are a driven by a sense of duty to deliver outcomes that advance the state-of-the-art and practice for analyzing, assuring, and countering software systems to enhance National Security.
• Communicator and Collaborator:You have outstanding written and oral communication skills. You can synthesize complex technical information into clear status updates, risk assessments, and executive briefings for both internal leadership and external mission partners.
• Culture:Help develop a team culture that fosters innovation, technical excellence, and leadership.

What You’ll Do

In conjunction with the leadership team, you will:

• Develop AI Safety Technical solution strategies.
• Lead the planning and execution of AI Safety projects ensuring that the plans are sound and aligned with the state of the art and customer expectations.
• Coordinate across SEI and CMU support functions to ensure project teams have what they need to execute.
• Serve as a primary technical liaison to customers conducting regular project reviews to ensure that the project meets their needs and adjust accordingly.
• Contribute to strategic planning using customer feedback and project performance data to develop future technical directions.
• Represent the RFHAS technical portfolio in AI and AI Safety with customers and internal collaborators.

Requirements

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related disciplewith ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR a PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience.
• Willingness to travel outside of your office location to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.
• You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

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.

Location

Arlington, VA, 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