Carnegie Mellon University

Software Engineer

Carnegie Mellon University$80K — $110K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Professional experience developing software with Python.
  • Experience with Microsoft SQL Server: complex queries, stored procedures, performance optimization.
  • Proficient in designing and consuming RESTful APIs.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles and practices.
  • Ability to analyze and resolve complex technical and business problems.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and services using Python.
  • Build and support RESTful APIs with frameworks like FastAPI or OpenAPI.
  • Write clean, maintainable, and scalable code following best practices.
  • Participate in code reviews to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Improve application performance and development processes through innovation.
  • Analyze and optimize SQL Server databases and troubleshoot issues.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver effective technical solutions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
  • Tuition benefits and ample paid time off.
  • Life and disability insurance for peace of mind.
  • Access to free public transit and a fitness center.
Full Job Description

About the role:

We are seeking a Software Engineer to design, develop, and support mission-critical applications and data systems using Python and Microsoft SQL Server. Working closely with business stakeholders and technical teams, you'll build reliable, scalable, and user-focused solutions that support our organization's mission.

We're looking for a curious, growth-oriented engineer who takes ownership, solves complex problems, and continuously builds expertise in our systems and business. You balance independent initiative with collaboration, communicate effectively, and make thoughtful technical decisions with long-term impact in mind.

You approach software development with a user-centered, product-focused mindset and leverage modern AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity, software quality, and user outcomes.

What You'll Do:

Software Development

  • Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and services using Python.

  • Build and support RESTful APIs; experience with FastAPI, OpenAPI/Swagger, or similar frameworks is preferred.

  • Write clean, maintainable, and scalable code following established engineering best practices.

  • Participate in code reviews and help maintain high standards for quality, consistency, and reliability.

  • Improve application performance, automation, and development processes through continuous refinement and innovation.

  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools responsibly to improve productivity, code quality, and user outcomes.

Database Engineering

  • Design, develop, and maintain SQL Server databases, queries, stored procedures, functions, views, and jobs.

  • Analyze and optimize database performance using indexing, query tuning, and execution plan analysis.

  • Troubleshoot database issues and support production problem resolution.

  • Monitor scheduled jobs, data processing workflows, and system integrations to ensure reliable operation.

  • Collaborate with database administrators and infrastructure teams to maintain performance, availability, and data integrity.

Collaboration and Technical Leadership

  • Partner with business stakeholders and technical teams to understand requirements, evaluate tradeoffs, and deliver effective solutions.

  • Participate in architecture, design, engineering, and change management discussions.

  • Create and maintain technical documentation, including system architecture, data flows, process diagrams, and operational procedures.

  • Mentor junior engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and knowledge sharing.

  • Help establish and maintain Python development standards and engineering best practices.

  • Take ownership of technical challenges while balancing user experience, business needs, reliability, security, and long-term maintainability.

Who You Are:

You enjoy solving challenging problems and building software that delivers meaningful value. You are comfortable working across the full software development lifecycle—from requirements and design through implementation, deployment, and production support.

You communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, value collaboration, and take pride in delivering reliable, maintainable solutions.

Required Qualifications:
  • Professional experience developing software with Python.

  • Experience working with Microsoft SQL Server, including complex queries, stored procedures, functions, and performance optimization.

  • Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.

  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, testing practices, and source control.

  • Ability to analyze complex technical and business problems and develop practical, scalable solutions.

How You Work:
  • Curious and eager to learn new technologies, systems, and business domains.

  • Builds institutional knowledge to better understand users, systems, and organizational goals.

  • Takes ownership, works independently, and knows when to seek guidance.

  • Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively across technical and business teams.

  • Values documentation, maintainability, and long-term system health alongside feature delivery.

How You Think:
  • Focuses on user needs and business outcomes when making technical decisions.

  • Considers reliability, security, scalability, and maintainability as core engineering responsibilities.

  • Embraces an AI-native approach to software engineering, using modern AI tools to accelerate learning, improve quality, and enhance productivity.

  • Continuously looks for opportunities to improve products, processes, and team effectiveness.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with FastAPI, OpenAPI/Swagger, or similar frameworks.

  • Experience mentoring developers or providing technical leadership.

  • Experience working in Agile environments.

  • Experience with enterprise applications, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, or containerized deployments.

Why Join Us:

We're looking for engineers who take ownership, enjoy figuring things out, and are committed to building software that makes a meaningful impact. If you're excited by challenging technical problems, continuous learning, collaborative teamwork, and creating solutions that improve the experience of our users, we'd love to hear from you.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information: 

  • Please visit “” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. 

  • Click to view a listing of employee benefits

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university that was founded in 1900. The university is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is known for its programs in computer science, engineering, and the arts. Carnegie Mellon has a diverse student body and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. The university has a strong focus on research and has partnerships with a number of companies and organizations. Carnegie Mellon is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States.
Learn more about Carnegie Mellon University
Size
14,000 employees
Industry

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