Software Engineer

Carnegie-Mellon-University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute in Pittsburgh seeks a Software Engineer to design, develop, and support mission-critical applications and data systems using Python and Microsoft SQL Server. You will collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams to deliver reliable, scalable software, balancing ownership with teamwork in a security-conscious environment.

The role emphasizes user-centered, product-focused development, AI-assisted tooling, and maintaining

Qualifications

• Experience developing software with Python or Java.
• Experience working with Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, including complex queries and performance optimization.
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and services using Python.
• Build and support RESTful APIs and ensure code quality through reviews.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand requirements and drive reliable solutions.
• Improve performance, reliability, and maintainability of systems with best practices.

Skills

Python

Java

RESTful APIs

Microsoft SQL Server

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, and support mission-critical applications and data systems using Python and Microsoft SQL Server. Working closely with business stakeholders and technical teams, you'll build reliable, scalable, and user-focused solutions that support our organization's mission. We're looking for a curious, growth-oriented engineer who takes ownership, solves complex problems, and continuously builds expertise in our systems and business. You balance independent initiative with collaboration, communicate effectively, and make thoughtful technical decisions with long-term impact in mind. You approach software development with a user-centered, product-focused mindset and leverage modern AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity, software quality, and user outcomes.

What You’ll Do

Software Development

Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and services using Python. Build and support RESTful APIs. Write clean, maintainable, and scalable code following established engineering best practices. Participate in code reviews and help maintain high standards for quality, consistency, and reliability. Improve application performance, automation, and development processes through continuous refinement and innovation. Leverage AI-assisted development tools responsibly to improve productivity, code quality, and user outcomes.

Database Engineering

Design, develop, and maintain SQL Server databases, queries, stored procedures, functions, views, and jobs. Analyze and optimize database performance using indexing, query tuning, and execution plan analysis. Troubleshoot database issues and support production problem resolution. Monitor scheduled jobs, data processing workflows, and system integrations to ensure reliable operation. Collaborate with database administrators and infrastructure teams to maintain performance, availability, and data integrity.

Collaboration and Technical Leadership

Partner with business stakeholders and technical teams to understand requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and deliver effective solutions. Participate in architecture, design, engineering, and change management discussions. Create and maintain technical documentation, including system architecture, data flows, process diagrams, and operational procedures. Help establish and maintain Python development standards and engineering best practices. Take ownership of technical challenges while balancing user experience, business needs, reliability, security, and long-term maintainability.

Who You Are

You enjoy solving challenging problems and building software that delivers meaningful value. You are comfortable working across the full software development lifecycle— from requirements and design through implementation, deployment, and production support. You communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, value collaboration, and take pride in delivering reliable, maintainable solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Experience developing software with Python or Java.
• Experience working with Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, possibly including complex queries, stored procedures, functions, and performance optimization.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, testing practices, and source control.
• Ability to analyze complex technical and business problems and develop practical, scalable solutions.
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs.

How You Work

Curious and eager to learn new technologies, systems, and business domains. Builds institutional knowledge to better understand users, systems, and organizational goals. Takes ownership, works independently, and knows when to seek guidance. Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively across technical and business teams. Values documentation, maintainability, and long-term system health alongside feature delivery.

How You Think

Focuses on user needs and business outcomes when making technical decisions. Considers reliability, security, scalability, and maintainability as core engineering responsibilities. Embraces an AI-native approach to software engineering, using modern AI tools to accelerate learning, improve quality, and enhance productivity. Continuously looks for opportunities to improve products, processes, and team effectiveness.

Why Join Us

We’re looking for engineers who take ownership, enjoy figuring things out, and are committed to building software that makes a meaningful impact. If you’re excited by challenging technical problems, continuous learning, collaborative teamwork, and creating solutions that improve the experience of our users, we’d love to hear from you.

Who we are

The SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Its core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire the right software, defect‑free, within budget and on time, every time. The Development Team works collaboratively with IT, business leaders, and technical staff to create enterprise-level business solutions that help the organization maintain and evolve technologies, business processes, and architectures to deliver a cohesive, and integrated business platform that constantly improves our organizational performance.

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

Statement of Assurance

Always focused on the future, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software as a strategic advantage for national security. We lead research and direct transition of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technologies at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. We serve the nation as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and are based at Carnegie Mellon University, a global research university annually rated among the best for its programs in computer science and engineering. Our people apply special knowledge and skills and are part of an elite research university. We perform research and apply our expertise every day to foresee problems and exploit opportunities in software engineering, AI engineering, and cybersecurity. Quality software that is secure will control the future. At CMU SEI, we are engineering that ever-greater software-fueled future.

Need Help?

For technical assistance, email [e-mail] or call 412-268-5072.

Accessibility Statement

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-3930.