Software Engineering Institute

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Advanced Technology Development Program, under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, aims to enhance the Department of Defense's capabilities in software engineering and technology. This initiative focuses on research and development to transition cutting-edge software technologies, tools, and best practices into practical applications. The program's primary objective is to improve the engineering, management, fielding, evolution, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems within the DoD. By addressing complex challenges in software assurance and system verification, SEI supports the DoD's broader goals of building a resilient joint force and defense ecosystem.

The SEI Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) plays a crucial role in advancing software engineering practices across government, industry, and academia. Established in 1984, SEI provides technical leadership through research initiatives that focus on scalability, reliability, and security of software systems. The program emphasizes rapid prototyping and transitioning capabilities that enhance software assurance and mission-critical system performance. By collaborating with the larger software engineering community, SEI evaluates emerging technologies to determine their potential impact on DoD systems.

Key research areas within this program include systems verification and validation, mission assurance, information assurance, and artificial intelligence (AI) engineering initiatives. The program seeks to mature techniques for verifying system requirements and architectures while developing prototypes for integration into DoD applications. Additionally, it addresses information assurance by defending against data manipulation attacks that could compromise machine learning algorithms. AI engineering efforts focus on creating frameworks for deploying AI systems in complex environments to ensure they are reliable and trustworthy.

The SEI program element is designed to maintain the DoD's leadership in global software engineering by fostering innovation and ensuring a competitive advantage. Through its comprehensive approach to research and development, SEI aims to transform how software-intensive systems are engineered and managed within the defense sector. The program's ongoing efforts contribute significantly to enhancing national security by ensuring that advanced technology solutions are effectively integrated into military operations.