AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

13h

About The Position

The AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher conducts research on applying AI to software engineering problems at industry and government scale, applies research in government and industry settings, and shares results with engineering teams and the broader research and software engineering community. The role helps shape the AI-Native Software Engineering strategy by investigating AI model and coding-agent capabilities; developing metrics and improvement guidance for organizations using AI in development; identifying workflow gaps that lead to technical debt, poor architecture decisions, or rework; creating agents and agentic workflows; embedding software engineering discipline in practices and workflows; and studying AI costs and efficient use, including context and token management and balancing AI with non-AI approaches. The researcher works with software engineers, researchers, and data scientists on national and global-scale problems. The position is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and requires willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, including to Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute offices in Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences. Employment is regular, full-time staff. The role is subject to a background investigation and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Requirements

PhD and at least two years of experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of software engineering fundamentals.
Ability to keep up with and adapt to rapidly changing technical advances.
Track record of conducting research and applying scientific methods to solve difficult problems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical ideas in layperson’s terms.
Demonstrated track record publishing in top-tier peer-reviewed venues.
Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors.
Proficiency in writing funding proposals or pitching ideas for new research projects.
Willingness and ability to guide and mentor junior team members.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance, subject to a background investigation.
Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading research projects in novel areas.
Successful application of AI to improve research or software engineering progress.
Experience working with software engineering teams on large industry or government projects.
Experience working with leadership to plan, develop, and deliver an overall technical strategy.

Responsibilities

Conduct research on applying AI to industry- and government-scale software engineering problems.
Apply research in government and industry settings and disseminate results to engineering teams and the broader research and software engineering community.
Help shape the AI-Native Software Engineering strategy by assessing evolving AI model and coding-agent capabilities.
Establish metrics to help organizations understand and improve their use of AI in software development.
Identify gaps in AI workflows that lead to poor outcomes such as technical debt, poor architecture decisions, or rework loops.
Create novel agents or agentic workflows.
Create or adapt practices and workflows that embed software engineering discipline.
Study the cost implications of AI and develop strategies for more efficient use, including context management, token management, and balancing AI with non-AI approaches.
Collaborate with software engineers, researchers, data scientists, colleagues, and sponsors.
Guide and mentor junior team members.
Travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside the home location, including SEI offices, sponsor sites, and conferences.