Senior Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist

About the role

We’re seeking an acquisition innovator to join our team of high-performing, highly experienced professionals and researchers to shape the development of forward-thinking DoW software acquisition policy and practice. If you have experience in modern DoW software acquisitions and are a creative thinker who can seek solutions to complex challenges, we’d love to meet you. As a Software Acquisition Innovation Specialist at the SEI, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with DoW policy teams and programs, leading and participating on client and research teams that are focused on solving the toughest software acquisition challenges.

In this position, you’ll be part of a mission-focused culture of collaboration, transparency, and delivering timely, high-quality, high-impact work. We are leading the way in establishing acquisition approaches for advanced software technologies and methods.

What you’ll do Collaborate with and advise DoW acquisition programs on the development and execution of acquisition strategies, tools, and assets that incorporate modern software approaches and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)
Proactively work with stakeholders from across the acquisition enterprise to identify and address software-related policy needs both in and across programs

Research the acquisition implications of emerging software technologies and methods

Collaborate with technical teams across the SEI to identify and execute on opportunities to transition the SEI’s 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 into contexts beyond the DoWWho you areYou have strong understanding of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, with recent direct experience applying the DoW Software Acquisition Pathway (DoDI 5000.87), as well as other  accelerated/innovative acquisition approaches for software-enabled capabilities.

You have experience developing and executing acquisition strategies in embedded systems or command and control (C2) programs.

You have good understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and use of Other Transaction Authority (OTAs), with experience writing Requests for Proposal (RFPs).You have experience in at least two of the following areas, in DoW acquisitions:

Dev Sec Ops  or software factories

Agile software methodologies

Digital engineering and model-based systems engineering

Modern test and evaluation methodologies

Integrating AI capabilities or systems

DoW contract and financial planning and integrated performance management

You may also have a War Acquisition University certification in a field supporting software acquisition

You are a collaborative problem solver.

You communicate clearly and can adapt your communication style to different audiences.

You are eager to work on diverse problems with multiple factors that require analysis, innovation, creativity, and evaluation.

You deliver high-quality work and care about the impact of your work.

You have a combination of relevant education and experience: BS in a software-related, quantitative/analytical, or acquisition-relevant field with 10 years’ experience; MS in the same fields with 8 years’ experience; or PhD in those fields with 5 years’ experience.  You are able to:

You’re willing to travel (approximately 25%) outside your office location to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.

Pass a background check and obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance.

Who we areThe SEI delivers innovative methods, tools, algorithms, and frameworks to meet current software and cybersecurity needs and…