Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, is hiring a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner. You will serve as a strategic talent advisor, partnering with leaders to attract engineers, researchers, and technologists committed to solving complex software challenges.

Expect close collaboration across technical and programmatic teams under the HR Director. Responsibilities include managing full lifecycle recruiting, developing sourcing strategies, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or 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 technical 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.

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.
• Work collaboratively with teammates to challenge assumptions, learn from one another, and develop thoughtful solutions that strengthen our work and ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Champion process improvement and innovation by helping test recruiting tools, identifying opportunities for automation, and optimizing workflows to increase efficiency while preserving the high‑touch, personalized candidate experience that defines the SEI.

Skills

Technical recruiting

Workday

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

About The SEI

At the SEI, you’ll join a community that works with the highest levels of government and industry to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure, improve mission‑critical systems, and advance software. You’ll have the opportunity to work with both industry and academia in an environment where unique research projects thrive. As a member of the SEI, you’ll join a group of talented people who channel their unique and varied perspectives to create innovation that is making a better tomorrow. You’ll also become part of an environment in which we support our staff to be both passionately committed to their careers and find balance between life and work.

About The SEI

At the SEI, you’ll join a community that works with the highest levels of government and industry to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure, improve mission‑critical systems, and advance software. You’ll have the opportunity to work with both industry and academia in an environment where unique research projects thrive. As a member of the SEI, you’ll join a group of talented people who channel their unique and varied perspectives to create innovation that is making a better tomorrow. You’ll also become part of an environment in which we support our staff to be both passionately committed to their careers and find balance between life and work. As a mission-focused organization, we value integrity, collaboration, curiosity, and excellence—and we’re committed to fostering a welcoming, high‑performing workplace where every employee can thrive.

This Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner to join our team. In this role, you'll serve as a strategic talent advisor, helping the SEI attract and hire exceptional engineers, researchers, and technologists who are committed to solving some of software's most complex challenges. You'll partner closely with leaders across technical and programmatic teams, helping them identify people who are intellectually curious, mission driven, and capable of solving difficult problems. Your work will shape the future of the SEI by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful work that advances our national mission. This role reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Key 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.
• Work collaboratively with teammates to challenge assumptions, learn from one another, and develop thoughtful solutions that strengthen our work and ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Champion process improvement and innovation by helping test recruiting tools, identifying opportunities for automation, and optimizing workflows to increase efficiency while preserving the high‑touch, personalized candidate experience that defines the SEI.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or 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 technical 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 We Seek

• 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% travel 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

Job Function

Talent Acquisition

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full time/Part time

Full time

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