What We Do: 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. Our 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.
Position Summary
You will work as a part of the Cyber Mission Readiness Directorate within CERT and will collaborate with a team of software engineers, learning engineers, and cybersecurity experts focused on building the software behind cyber training, exercises, and assessments.
You will assist members of the Operational Readiness and Evaluation team in developing features and fixes for a suite of open-source web applications used to run cyber exercises, virtual labs, and online courses.
You will write automated tests and help find and fix defects before applications are used in live training events.
You will help add learner activity tracking (xAPI) and AI-assisted features to existing applications.
This internship begins in Fall 2026, with the option to continue through the Spring 2027 semester.
You will contribute to a variety of core functions including:
- Full-stack web application development (C#/.NET and Angular)
- Learning management system plugin development (PHP and Moodle)
- Automated unit, integration, and end-to-end testing
- xAPI instrumentation and AI feature integration
Requirements:
- Enrolled in a degree granting program.
- Willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI’s overall mission. This includes within the SEI and CMU community.
- You will be subject to a background check and must be eligible to work in the United States without Visa sponsorship.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to critically think and problem solve
- Familiarity with an object-oriented programming language, such as C#, Java, or TypeScript
- Familiarity with web development fundamentals, such as HTTP, REST APIs, HTML, and CSS
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows, such as branching and merge requests
- Ability to collaborate internally and externally with professional engineers, instructional designers, and subject matter experts
- Willingness to learn new technologies with cross-functional teams
- Must be organized, detail-oriented, and have the capacity to clearly document and communicate any findings
Desired Experience:
- Experience with ASP.NET Core or Angular
- Experience with PHP or a learning management system, such as Moodle
- Experience writing automated tests, such as with Playwright, xUnit, or Jest
- Experience with relational databases, such as PostgreSQL
These experiences may also come from education-driven experiences or extracurriculars.
Job Function Breakdown:
- Implement features and fixes in web application front ends and APIs: 40%
- Write automated unit, integration, and end-to-end tests: 25%
- Instrument applications for xAPI and integrate AI-assisted features: 20%
- Write documentation and demonstrate work to the team: 15%
TOTAL = 100%
This is a part-time, fully onsite position based in our Pittsburgh office.
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
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.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PAJob Function
Non-CMU StudentsPosition Type
Intern (Fixed Term)Full Time/Part time
Part timePay Basis
HourlyMore 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
Skills Required
- Enrollment in a degree-granting program
- Willingness to travel to various locations within the SEI and Carnegie Mellon community
- Eligibility to work in the United States without visa sponsorship
- Familiarity with an object-oriented programming language such as C#, Java, or TypeScript
- Familiarity with web development fundamentals, including HTTP, REST APIs, HTML, and CSS
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows such as branching and merge requests
- Ability to critically think and solve problems
- Ability to collaborate with engineers, instructional designers, and subject matter experts
- Ability to learn new technologies with cross-functional teams
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to document and communicate findings clearly
- Experience with ASP.NET Core or Angular
- Experience with PHP or a learning management system such as Moodle
- Experience writing automated tests with tools such as Playwright, xUnit, or Jest
- Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL
Carnegie Mellon University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Carnegie Mellon University and has not been reviewed or approved by Carnegie Mellon University.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with automatic employer contributions to a TIAA-administered plan at 8% of base salary (and 9.78% for 9‑month academic appointments), plus optional employee deferrals. Vesting after three years is clearly specified, which helps set expectations for long-term value.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support is strengthened by 100% paid parental leave for six weeks and 100% paid maternity leave for 6–8 weeks (delivery-type dependent), effective July 1, 2024. Childcare support is also referenced through a Cyert Center subsidy up to $5,000 per family, alongside no-cost EAP access.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits include free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access and access to fitness classes and facilities, adding recurring non-cash value to the overall package. Pittsburgh’s relatively affordable cost of living can further increase the perceived adequacy of a given salary compared with higher-cost coastal hubs.
Carnegie Mellon University Insights
What We Do
Carnegie Mellon University founder Andrew Carnegie said: "My heart is in the work." No statement better captures the passion and drive of our people to make a real difference. At Carnegie Mellon, we're not afraid of the work. Our educational environment creates problem solvers, drivers of innovation and pioneers in technology and the arts. Employers in every field say our graduates are ready to hit the ground running the day they graduate. So, join us. Whether you're looking for a career or an education. Or both.
