Position Overview
As our Principal Data Engineer for Semantic Modeling & Industrial Knowledge Architecture, you will lead the design, engineering, and governance of large-scale semantic data models and industrial knowledge systems that support real-time operational intelligence across advanced manufacturing environments. You will build unified namespaces, enterprise knowledge graphs, and ontology-driven architectures that ensure consistent interpretation, traceability, and interoperability of mission-critical industrial data. This role partners with controls engineers, data architects, AI/ML teams, and manufacturing SMEs to deliver enterprise-grade foundations for analytics, predictive maintenance, simulation workflows, and AI-driven automation in a high-security DOE/NNSA environment.

Location
On-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Q Clearance Required)

Your Day to Day as a Principal Data Engineer• Design semantic data models and ontologies enabling unified interpretation of industrial data across chemical, aerospace, automotive, and high-throughput manufacturing sectors.
• Develop enterprise knowledge graph components using OWL, RDF, RDFS, SKOS, SHACL, and SPARQL.
• Build unified namespaces aligned with ISA-95 and W3C standards to ensure cross-system interoperability.
• Architect scalable storage solutions including time-series databases, knowledge graphs, and lakehouse systems.
• Engineer pipelines to ingest, reconcile, and contextualize structured, semi-structured, streaming, and unstructured data.
• Apply governance practices including versioning, modularization, URI strategies, and quality gates.
• Map relational models into semantic representations using R2RML/RML.
• Support AI/ML and simulation teams by embedding semantic models into analytics and automation workflows.
• Lead workshops with SMEs to define domain concepts, modeling requirements, and competency questions.
• Implement data quality controls, lineage, validation frameworks, and anomaly detection.
• Develop reusable frameworks for units modeling, hierarchical structures, identifier normalization, and event modeling.
• Mentor engineering teams and contribute to enterprise data modernization strategies.
• Maintain semantic specifications, governance artifacts, workflows, and compliance documentation.
• Participate in DOE/NNSA audits, reviews, and inspections.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Information Science, Computer Science, or related STEM field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in data engineering, semantic modeling, ontology design, or knowledge graph development.
• Experience designing ontologies using OWL, RDF, RDFS, SKOS, SHACL, and SPARQL.
• Hands-on experience with pipelines for structured, semi-structured, streaming, and unstructured data.
• Experience integrating OT/IoT, edge devices, and SCADA systems into unified data environments.
• Strong knowledge of data architecture principles and modern storage paradigms.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and Kubernetes.
• Understanding of semantic governance and lifecycle management.
• Must be a U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Information Science, or related field.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, chemical, or high-throughput manufacturing sectors.
• Consulting or enterprise-scale modernization experience.
• Experience with Unified Namespace, data mesh/fabric, and graph-enabled AI frameworks.
• Familiarity with Databricks, Snowflake, or AWS analytics.
• Experience with semantic modularization, versioning, and interoperability.
• Experience leading global engineering teams.

What We Offer
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible work schedules and paid time off (as applicable).
• Professional development including mentorship and continuing education support.
• An inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives.
• Opportunities to contribute to mission-driven national security programs.
• Continuous learning and training for career growth.

Pay: $86,450 - $136,000

The base salary range for this position in Tennessee (US-TN) at the start of employment is expected to be between $86,450 and $136,000 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,' unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.

As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities ("BWXT" or the "Company") complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.