Knowledge Engineer

Description

You will join a USAFRICOM Directorate as a Knowledge Engineer, supporting the CDAO goal of digital modernization and wider AI and ML adoption across the AFRICOM enterprise.

The role centers on turning command workflows into documented, digital processes, building standardized semantic ontologies, and setting up out-of-the-box Microsoft 365 and DEOS tools to improve data access, efficiency, and decision-making.

This is an onsite role in the IT Infrastructure and Operations job family.

Responsibilities

• Process intelligence and workflow optimization (about 30% of time): map and baseline current command workflows against Joint Staff standards, then digitize them.
• Find bottlenecks with process intelligence methods and produce versioned workflow diagrams.
• Convert manual steps into automated or partly automated digital workflows using Agile delivery practices.
• Ontology development and data standardization (about 30% of time): build and maintain minimum viable ontologies in OWL, RDF, and SKOS.
• Make sure documents, models, and data products meet metadata standards so they integrate cleanly with MSS and WDP.
• Prepare ontologies and models so AI agents and LLMs can reach authoritative, secure data for decision support, dashboards, and predictive analytics.
• Training and system adoption (about 30% of time): teach Knowledge Managers and functional users metadata practices, knowledge capture, and modern collaboration and data platforms such as Microsoft 365, Databricks, and Palantir.
• Encourage data literacy and adoption of new digital workflows across Directorates.
• Contractor oversight and Agile work package management (about 10% of time): review technical work packages for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with governance rules.
• Assess scope and data flow through digital tracking tools such as JIRA or Slack, and make sure MVP increments meet stakeholder needs.
• Percentages may change with mission requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, mandatory under the DEOS contract with no substitutions.
• 10+ years of experience in knowledge management, process engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in DoW or IC environments.
• Hands-on Microsoft 365 configuration: SharePoint administration, Power Automate workflows, and Teams governance. You must be able to build these yourself, not just advise on them.
• Experience in a U.S. military headquarters or Joint Staff directorate, with knowledge of battle rhythm, command processes, and operational documentation.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive adoption with senior stakeholders at O-6 and SES level.
• Practical experience with ontologies, metadata standards, and workflow digitization.
• U.S. citizenship, with eligibility for SOFA status and any required country clearances.
• DoW security clearance at TS/SCI.
• Desired: experience with Power Apps or Power BI for dashboards and decision support.
• Desired: familiarity with CDAO and CKDP frameworks, DEOS enterprise services, and DoW records management.
• Desired: background in knowledge engineering frameworks, semantic technologies, or content modeling.
• Desired: experience with data ingestion, tagging, and interoperability across MSS, WDP, or similar analytics platforms.

Conditions

Full-time, 40 scheduled hours per week, onsite.

Travel is required for less than 10% of the time.

Clearance: TS/SCI must be held currently, and the role is international with a U.S. citizenship requirement.

The likely salary range is $136,000 - $184,000. This is not a guarantee. Pay is set by experience, geographic location, and possibly contract terms, and may fall outside this range.

For international positions, total pay varies with tax, social security, immigration status, and location. International assignments may add allowances, premium uplifts, or relocation and transportation support on top of base pay.

Hiring includes an identity verification step using biometrics and AI, and virtual interviews require you to be on camera.

The company is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Benefits

• Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, plus dental and vision plans for U.S.-based employees.
• A 401(k) with company match, allowing pre-tax and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits.
• Full flex work weeks where possible, and paid time off including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
• Short and long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance, provided or available.
• An AI-supported career tool that suggests career steps and learning, and an internal mobility team to help with career goals.