Carnegie Mellon University appoints Jason M. Brown as head of Software Engineering Institute

Carnegie Mellon University has appointed Jason M. Brown as the new director and CEO of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Brown is scheduled to assume the role on November 16, succeeding Paul Nielsen, who has led the organization since 2004.

As a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Department of Defense, the SEI focuses on software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Brown will be responsible for defining the institute's strategic direction and overseeing its interactions with federal partners to ensure that research capabilities meet national security demands.

Brown joins the university with a background in defense technology and government service. His previous roles include leadership positions at Applied Intuition and Google, as well as a tenure in the U.S. Air Force, where he was involved in developing emerging technology strategies and AI initiatives. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University.

His appointment comes as the SEI seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and practical defense applications. The leadership transition marks a shift for the institute as it continues to adapt to rapid advancements in autonomous systems and defense software.