Senior Embedded Software Engineer

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Tuition benefits

Wellness programs

Transit benefits

Onsite gym

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to support U.S. Navy customers with architecture analysis, development oversight, and sustainment planning.

You will lead teams, analyze existing code, and engage government stakeholders to ensure secure, reliable software solutions. Ideal candidates bring hands-on C/C++ expertise, experience with naval programs, and a proven ability to drive risk reduction and implement scalable,

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of C and C++ software development.
• Experience designing complex software architectures for mission-critical systems.
• Ability to lead, balance architecture decisions and communicate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead software development efforts from concept through deployment for Navy programs.
• Evaluate tradeoffs and guide technical teams on modernization strategies.
• Develop prototypes and conduct risk reduction for acquisition decisions.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders and contractors to deliver sound recommendations.

Skills

C/C++ development

Architecture analysis

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

BS in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

MS in same fields

PhD in same fields

Job description

What We Do

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of theart in software engineering and cybersecurity and serves as anational resource for secure, resilient software systems. The SEIworks closely with academia, the U.S. Department of War, othergovernment organizations, and industry to improve the development,acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems.

Our core purpose is to help organizations acquire and operatesoftware-reliant systems that are secure, reliable, sustainable,and mission-effective, delivered on time and within budget.

If you are creative, curious, collaborative, technology-focused,and motivated to solve complex problems in support of nationaldefense, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Engineer to support U.S.Navy customers in the acquisition of a software-based maintenanceand readiness application critical to fleet operations and nationalsecurity. This position provides technical leadership across thesoftware acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis,software development oversight, risk reduction, and sustainmentplanning. The role requires close collaboration with Naval ProgramExecutive Offices (PEOs) and Program Management Offices (PMOs),sustainment organizations, contractors, and fleet stakeholders toensure software solutions meet operational, maintainability, andlong-term supportability requirements.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on software expertise (C/C++)with experience supporting Naval acquisition programs,legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments. This roleincludes guiding technical teams, evaluating architecturaltradeoffs, developing prototypes, analyzing existing source code,and leading customer engagements that inform acquisition andsustainment decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Support Naval software acquisition and sustainment activitiesin accordance with DoD 5000-series acquisition guidance, includingarchitecture analysis, software engineering, integration, testing,deployment, and long-term sustainment planning
• Provide technical leadership for a fleet-facing maintenance andreadiness application supporting operational availability acrossafloat and ashore environments
• Advise Navy Program Executive Offices (PEOs), ProgramManagement Offices (PMOs), and government stakeholders on softwaredesign decisions, technical risks, modernization strategies, andtradeoffs associated with large, legacy-dependent systems
• Lead software development efforts from concept throughdeployment, with an emphasis on C and C++-based implementationssupporting high-performance and mission-critical use cases
• Demonstrate software architecture expertise by developing andmaintaining design artifacts such as data-flow diagrams, sequencediagrams, interface control definitions, and quality attributespecifications to support scalable, maintainable, and resilientsolutions
• Analyze existing source code, system interfaces, and data flowsto identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernizationopportunities.
• Develop prototypes and technical demonstrations to support riskreduction, acquisition decision-making, and capabilitymaturation
• Collaborate with senior U.S. Navy and government stakeholders,contractors, integrators, SEI staff, and leadership to assess needsand deliver technically sound recommendations
• Lead and mentor a team of developers, fostering disciplinedengineering practices, continuous improvement, and missionfocus
• Support customer engagements such as technical interchangemeetings (TIMs), design reviews, and acquisition milestoneactivities, providing clear, defensible technical input
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, softwaredevelopment best practices, and Naval digital modernizationinitiatives relevant to sustainment and maintenance systems

Who You Are

• Ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War(DoW) security clearance; an existing SECRET or higher clearance ispreferred
• Previous experience leading, architecting, or developing largescale Navy acquisition programs including Aegis Combat System,SM-series interceptors, Sea Sparrow Missile System and/or SurfaceElectronic Warfare programs
• Previous experience working with large scale Naval Commandelements such as NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVWAR, NAVFAC, NIWC or theirpredecessors such as SPAWAR

Education and Experience Requirements:

• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a relateddiscipline with ten (10) years of relevant experience; OR Master’sdegree in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; ORPhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience
• Proven experience designing and implementing complex softwarearchitectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focusedsystems
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and balancearchitecture drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-termmaintainability
• Deep understanding of C and C++ software development, includinganalysis of existing codebases
• Working knowledge of C#, Java, and Python
• Experience across the full software development lifecycle,including the use of static analysis tools and techniques to improve software quality and security
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and engagecredibly with government and contractor stakeholders
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills,with the ability to explain complex technical concepts togovernment decision-makers
• Willingness to work directly with U.S. military and governmentstakeholders in support of mission success
• Ability to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites,conferences, and offsite meetings

Why Work Here

Our benefits philosophy centers on choice, control, and well-being.Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a comprehensivebenefits package, including:

• The opportunity to join a world-class organization with asignificant impact on government software systems
• Work alongside leading experts to solve high-consequencenational security challenges
• An 8% employer retirement contribution with no employeecontribution requirement
• Tuition benefits for you and your dependent children
• Access to university resources, including wellness programs,transit benefits, and onsite fitness facilities at selectlocations
• Paid parental leave and military leave
• Eligibility for relocation assistance and additionalbenefits

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
• Statement of Assurance