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Government Software Engineering Jobs in Pennsylvania

Cmu

AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$245K/yr

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 ...

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All JobsGovernment Software Engineering JobsGovernment Software Engineering Jobs in Pennsylvania

Government Software Engineering information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$63.7K

$147.9K

$206K

How much do government software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineering in Pennsylvania is $147,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,300.00 and $173,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is government software engineering?

Government software engineering involves designing, developing, and maintaining software systems for government agencies and public sector organizations. These professionals work on projects that support public services, such as healthcare, transportation, security, and administration. Their work often requires adherence to strict security and privacy standards, as well as compliance with government regulations. Government software engineers may collaborate with other IT professionals and stakeholders to create reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solutions that serve citizens and government employees. This field offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on society through technology.

What are government jobs in software engineering?

Government software engineering jobs involve working at the local, state, or federal levels to provide assistance to an area or government agency. In this role, you may set up a network or system, develop customized software, or use testing techniques to see whether or not existing software and hardware are performing as expected. Some government software engineering jobs are directly with the government, while contractors who specialize in specific areas fill other roles. Many government software engineering jobs are geographically centralized. In other words, the more government offices there are in an area, the more software engineering jobs you can expect to find.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a government software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Software Engineer, you typically need a solid background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like Java or Python, and a relevant degree or security clearance. Familiarity with government-specific systems, secure coding practices, and tools such as Git, CI/CD pipelines, and project management software is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and attention to detail help you navigate complex regulations and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are vital for building secure, reliable software solutions that support government operations and protect sensitive data.

What are some unique challenges faced by software engineers working in government agencies?

Software engineers in government agencies often work within strict regulatory and security frameworks, which can mean longer approval cycles and more documentation compared to private sector roles. Collaboration across multiple departments is common, as systems must integrate with legacy infrastructure and comply with public sector standards. While these constraints can be challenging, they also offer opportunities to contribute to projects that have a significant impact on public services and society. Engineers typically work in multidisciplinary teams and gain exposure to large-scale, mission-critical applications.
More about Government Software Engineering jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania?

The most popular types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What are popular job titles related to Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Software Engineering jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Government Software Engineering jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Government Software Engineering job openings:

Government Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Software Engineering job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,878 per year, or $71.1 per hour.

AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher

Software Engineering Institute

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$245K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

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.
AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher
As an AI-Native Software Engineering Researcher, you will focus on conducting research in application of AI to industry and government scale software engineering problems, applying your research in government and industry settings, and disseminating results to engineering teams and the broader research and software engineering community. You will help shape our AI-Native Software Engineering strategy through exploration of challenges such as:
  • assessing the rapidly changing capabilities of AI models and coding agents
  • establishing metrics that help organizations understand their use of AI in development and guiding them through improvements
  • identifying gaps in AI workflows that result in unnecessarily poor outcomes (e.g., excessive technical debt, bad architecture decisions, or frequent rework loops)
  • creating novel agents or agentic workflows
  • creating or adapting practices and workflows to embed software engineering discipline
  • studying the cost implications of AI and developing strategies for more efficient use of AI (e.g., context management, token management, and balancing use of AI with non-AI approaches)

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 engineering fundamentals
  • Ability to keep up with and adapt to rapidly changing technical advances
  • A track record of conducting research and applying scientific methods to solve difficult problems
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical ideas in a 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

Requirements
  • A PhD with at least two (2) years of experience.
  • You will be subject to a background investigation and you 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 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

Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff - Regular
Full time/Part time
Full time
Pay 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

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