Senior Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

3d

About The Position

The Senior Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist joins the Software Engineering Institute’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 contributing to client and research teams addressing complex software acquisition challenges. The position supports acquisition approaches for advanced software technologies and methods in a collaborative, mission-focused environment emphasizing transparency and timely, high-quality, high-impact work.

The specialist advises acquisition programs on strategies, tools, and assets that incorporate modern software approaches and technologies, including artificial intelligence. The role also identifies software-related policy needs, researches the acquisition implications of emerging technologies and methods, supports transition of SEI technical innovations into acquisition programs, synthesizes data and experience into strategies and recommendations, and develops ways to apply innovations beyond the DoW.

The SEI works with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to improve software-intensive systems. Its core purpose is to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities and develop or acquire suitable software that is defect-free, within budget, and delivered on time. The APPI team integrates empirical analysis, software engineering and AI research, and acquisition science to provide evidence-based guidance to DoW programs and other federal and state agencies.

The position is based in Arlington, Virginia, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and requires approximately 25% travel to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings. The employee 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: bachelor’s degree in a software-related, quantitative/analytical, or acquisition-relevant field with 10 years’ experience; master’s degree in those fields with 8 years’ experience; or PhD in those fields with 5 years’ experience.
• Collaborative problem-solving skills and clear communication, with the ability to adapt communication style to different audiences.
• Ability and willingness to work on diverse problems requiring analysis, innovation, creativity, and evaluation, and commitment to high-quality work and its impact.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• War Acquisition University certification in a field supporting software acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with and advise DoW acquisition programs on developing and executing acquisition strategies, tools, and assets that incorporate modern software approaches and technologies, including AI.
• Work proactively with stakeholders across the acquisition enterprise to identify and address software-related policy needs within and across programs.
• Research acquisition implications of emerging software technologies and methods.
• Collaborate with SEI technical teams to identify and carry out 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 for applying innovations in contexts beyond the DoW.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior