Senior Software Engineer

What We DoThe Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software engineering and cybersecurity, serving as a national resource for the advancement of secure, reliable, and high-performing software systems. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) at Carnegie Mellon University, SEI partners with academia, the U.S. Department of War, other government agencies, and industry to improve the development, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems.Our mission is to help organizations acquire and operate software-reliant systems that are secure, reliable, sustainable, and mission-effective delivered on time and within budget.If you are creative, curious, and motivated to solve complex technical challenges in support of national defense, we encourage you to apply.About the RoleWe are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support U.S. Department of War customers in acquiring and sustaining a mission-critical, software-based mission planning and readiness applications essential to national security operations.In this role, you will provide software development support across the full software acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis, development oversight, risk reduction, integration, and long-term sustainment planning. You will work closely with Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), sustainment organizations, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure delivered capabilities meet operational, maintainability, and long-term supportability requirements.The ideal candidate combines deep, hands-on expertise in C++ and browser supported languages. Additionally, development experience supporting Army, Air Force, Navy and Space Force acquisition programs, legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments is key. You will integrate with technical teams, evaluate architectural tradeoffs, develop prototypes, analyze existing source code, and support customer engagements that inform acquisition and sustainment decisions.  Join us in advancing the engineering of mission-critical systems that protect and support those who serve.What You’ll DoSupport DoW software acquisition and sustainment efforts in alignment with DoD 5000-series guidance, including architecture analysis, engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment planningProvide software development expertise for a DoW planning and readiness application supporting mission readinessAnalyze lifecycle artifacts associated with two or more planning applications and propose methods to combine them into a common baselineAdvise and develop prototype capability for government stakeholders on software design decisions, technical risks, modernization strategies, and tradeoffs associated with large, legacy-dependent systemsLead software development efforts from concept through deployment, with an emphasis on C++ and browser supported languages like C#, Java, and Angular.Demonstrate software architecture expertise by developing and maintaining design artifacts such as data-flow diagrams, sequence diagrams, interface control definitions, and quality attribute specifications to support scalable, maintainable, and resilient solutionsAnalyze existing source code, interfaces, and data flows to identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernization opportunitiesBuild prototypes and technical demonstrations to reduce risk, inform acquisition decisions, and mature emerging capabilitiesLead and mentor development teams, promoting disciplined engineering practices, continuous improvement, and mission focusSupport customer engagements such as technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design reviews, and acquisition milestone activities, providing clear, defensible technical inputStay current on emerging technologies, software engineering best practices, and digital modernization initiatives relevant to sustainment and maintenance systemsWho You AreAbility to obtain and maintain an active Department of War (DoW) security clearance; an existing SECRET or higher clearance is preferredExperience leading, architecting, or developing large-scale acquisition programsExperience with developing mission and safety critical embedded software applicationsExperience supporting major DoW acquisition organizationsProven experience designing and implementing complex software architectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focused systems based on new and existing system and software requirements with varying levels of uncertaintyProven experience in developing new and maintaining existing software documentation artifacts with emphasis on views and models across the full Software Development Lifecycle through modern tools and approachesProven experience in structured verification and validation activities in planning and execution of system and software level test activitiesDemonstrated ability to identify and balance architectural drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-term maintainabilityExperience across the full software development lifecycle, including use of static analysis tools and associated coding standards to improve quality and securityDemonstrated success leading technical teams and engaging credibly with government and contractor stakeholdersExcellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to senior government decision-makersWillingness to work directly with U.S. military and government customers in mission-focused environmentsAbility to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetingsYou have a BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related disciple with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR a PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experienceWhy Work Here?Our benefits philosophy encompasses three driving priorities: choice, control, and well-being. Through Carneg