The future of software engineering is AI-native. Our team works to shape that future through pioneering research, practical engineering methods, and close collaboration with government, industry, and academia.
At the AI-Native Software Engineering Directorate, we focus on how today's engineering teams can quickly exploit emerging technologies and harness AI capabilities to create and evolve software quickly without losing fundamental software qualities.
To address this new world, we :
- study and guide industry and government teams’ use of AI in software engineering
- distill best practices and lessons from experiments and experience to shape AI-native software engineering
- pilot and transition improvements with organizations and measure their success
- create novel agents and agentic workflows to support software engineering
- apply AI to accelerate architecture-scale modernization
- help organizations establish AI-native software engineering practices
- guide organizations in evolving their software with architecture and AI-native approaches
Our overarching goal is to create new workflows and tools that enable AI-paced delivery of software without loss of quality. We're seeking candidates with a demonstrated track record who are motivated to shape AI-native software engineering.
As an AI-Native Architect, you will focus on helping organizations solve architecture-scale challenges with the assistance of AI. Common challenges include modernizing legacy systems, rearchitecting systems to enable insertion of new technologies, and creating new architectures and reference architectures across different domains. New challenges include creation and evolution of agentic workflows, both for business processes and software engineering activities. You will help advance our AI-Native Software Engineering strategy by solving challenges such as:
- assessing customer system challenges and recommending technical solutions
- reviewing existing systems against today's challenges and designing modernization strategies
- creating novel architectures and reference architectures to address customer challenges
- coaching engineering teams in achieving architecture-scale changes
- architecting and prototyping systems and agentic workflows
- identifying opportunities to apply AI to diverse architecture challenges
- sharing experiences, solutions, and practice improvements with the technical community through publications and presentations
You will have the opportunity to work with world class software engineers, researchers, and data scientists working on national and global scale problems.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of software architecture and software engineering fundamentals
- Broad knowledge of architecture principles, practices, and tools
- Ability to quickly learn new problem domains and technologies
- A track record of architecting or rearchitecting systems at scale
- A track record of aligning development activities with planned architectures
- Ability to keep up with and adapt to rapidly changing technical advances
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical ideas in a layperson’s terms to stakeholders with different backgrounds
- Proficiency developing task plans or roadmaps to solve complex problems
- Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors
- Willingness and ability to guide and mentor junior team members
Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or related discipline with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR PhD with five (5) years of experience.
- You will be subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
- Willing to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of your home location. Travel sites include SEI offices in Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences.
Desired Experience
- Experience leading engineering teams to produce successful outcomes for industry or government projects
- Successful application of AI to improve software engineering activities
- Experience working with leadership to plan, develop, and deliver an overall technical strategy
- Experience drafting work proposals
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
Software/Applications Development/EngineeringPosition Type
Staff – RegularFull Time/Part time
Full timePay Basis
SalaryMore 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
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or related discipline with 10 years of experience; OR MS with 8 years; OR PhD with 5 years.
- Subject to background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
- Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of home location.
- Comprehensive knowledge of software architecture and software engineering fundamentals.
- Track record of architecting or rearchitecting systems at scale.
- Ability to align development activities with planned architectures and produce task plans/roadmaps.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical ideas to diverse stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to guide and mentor junior team members.
- Experience leading engineering teams to produce successful outcomes for industry or government projects.
- Successful application of AI to improve software engineering activities.
- Experience working with leadership to plan, develop, and deliver an overall technical strategy.
- Experience drafting work proposals.
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.
