Strategic Talent Acquisition Partner — Engineering Talent

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

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