Senior Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

12d

About The Position

The Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist joins the SEI’s Acquisition Policy, Practice & Integration team to help shape forward-thinking Department of War (DoW) software acquisition policy and practice. The role works directly with DoW policy teams and programs, leading and participating in client and research teams focused on complex software acquisition challenges. The position supports acquisition approaches for advanced software technologies and methods in a collaborative, mission-focused environment that emphasizes transparency and timely, high-quality, high-impact work. The specialist advises DoW acquisition programs on strategies, tools, and assets incorporating modern software approaches and technologies, including AI. The role also identifies software-related policy needs across the acquisition enterprise, researches implications of emerging technologies and methods, helps transition SEI technical innovations into acquisition programs, and develops approaches that can be applied beyond the DoW. The position is based in Arlington, Virginia, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It requires approximately 25% travel to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings. The selected candidate must pass a background check and obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance.

Requirements

Strong understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework and recent direct experience applying the DoW Software Acquisition Pathway (DoDI 5000.87), as well as other accelerated or innovative acquisition approaches for software-enabled capabilities.
Experience developing and executing acquisition strategies in embedded systems or command and control (C2) programs.
Good understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and use of Other Transaction Authority (OTAs), with experience writing Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
Experience in at least two of the following areas in DoW acquisitions: DevSecOps or software factories; Agile software methodologies; digital engineering and model-based systems engineering; modern test and evaluation methodologies; integrating AI capabilities or systems; or DoW contract and financial planning and integrated performance management.
A combination of relevant education and experience: a BS in a software-related, quantitative/analytical, or acquisition-relevant field with 10 years of experience; an MS in those fields with 8 years of experience; or a PhD in those fields with 5 years of experience.
Willingness to travel approximately 25% to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.
Ability to pass a background check and obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance.
Collaborative problem-solving ability and clear communication skills, including adapting communication style to different audiences.
Eagerness to work on diverse, complex problems requiring analysis, innovation, creativity, and evaluation.
Commitment to delivering high-quality work and considering its impact.

Nice To Haves

War Acquisition University certification in a field supporting software acquisition.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with and advise DoW acquisition programs on acquisition strategies, tools, and assets incorporating modern software approaches and technologies, including AI.
Work with stakeholders across the acquisition enterprise to identify and address software-related policy needs within and across programs.
Research the acquisition implications of emerging software technologies and methods.
Collaborate with SEI technical teams to identify and execute opportunities to transition SEI technical innovations into DoW acquisition programs.
Abstract and synthesize data and experiences to inform programmatic strategies, research projects, and policy recommendations.
Develop approaches to apply innovations in contexts beyond the DoW.