Principal Data Engineer

BWX Technologies is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to lead semantic modeling and industrial knowledge architecture efforts for real-time operational intelligence in advanced manufacturing settings. This on-site role in Oak Ridge, Tennessee supports enterprise knowledge graphs and ontology-driven systems within a high-security DOE/NNSA environment.

Role Summary

In this position, you will design, engineer, and govern large-scale semantic data models and industrial knowledge systems. The work includes supporting enterprise knowledge graphs, ontology-driven architectures, and interoperable data foundations to enable integration across advanced manufacturing domains.

Responsibilities

• Design semantic data models and ontologies for 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 support 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 and 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 a 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.

Technologies

• OWL, RDF, RDFS, SKOS, SHACL, SPARQL
• ISA-95, W3C
• Time-series databases, knowledge graphs, lakehouse systems
• R2RML, RML
• Python, Java, Scala
• Kubernetes, cloud platforms
• OT/IoT, edge devices, SCADA systems

Compensation

Pay: $86,450 - $136,000 per year (USD).

Location

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

Benefits

• 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.

U.S. Citizen and Clearance / Screening

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

Federal Contractor / Health and Safety Protocols

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity.