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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Software Engineering Institute

Fulfilling our mission to support the Nation’s defense demands a diverse set of views and experiences. The fields of software engineering and cybersecurity face significant challenges in attracting talent from a variety of backgrounds.

As part of the Carnegie Mellon University community, the SEI is collaborating in the university’s drive to seek and cultivate diverse populations and perspectives and promote equity and inclusion across campus. We are also rededicating ourselves to making diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) best practices part of the SEI’s organizational culture.

We work with our CMU partners to identify best practices, develop detailed plans, and innovate pathways to our shared vision of a welcoming, empowering workplace for all.

Committed to a Welcoming Environment

We build the goal of becoming more diverse, equitable, and inclusive into the best practices that touch our employees throughout their careers at the SEI:

  • We strive to hire and develop superb and diverse talent.
  • We collaborate with CMU on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities.
  • We treat our customers and each other with respect, fairness, honesty, and dignity.
  • We develop employee capability.
  • We practice intentional inclusion.
  • We build diversity in our promotion process.
  • We ensure equity in our salary process.

Advocated by the Director

“Our people are our greatest asset.”

At the SEI, we use that CMU principle as our touchstone for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Seeking and cultivating diverse populations and perspectives, promoting and practicing equity and inclusion—these activities crystallize the truth that our people are central to our mission and catalyze their continual growth and development. We build on those actions as an organization, as well, to nurture and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that advances science and technology to make our national defense and security software-based systems more innovative, more trustworthy, and more affordable. Each person. Each day. Each team. Each project.

— Paul Nielsen, SEI director and CEO