Knowledge Engineer

Description

The role is a Knowledge Engineer embedded in a USAFRICOM directorate, supporting the CDAO effort to modernize digital operations and speed up AI and ML adoption across the AFRICOM enterprise.

The work centres on recording and digitizing command workflows, building and standardizing semantic ontologies, and setting up out-of-the-box Microsoft 365 and DEOS features so data is easier to reach, operations run more efficiently and decisions are sharper.

The company serves U.S. government, defense and intelligence customers, with about 26,000 staff across more than 50 countries. Job family: IT Infrastructure and Operations. Requisition type: regular.

Responsibilities

• Workflow analysis and optimization (30%)
• Map, baseline and digitize current command workflows, including Joint Staff standards.
• Use process intelligence to find bottlenecks and produce versioned workflow diagrams.
• Convert manual work into automated or partly automated digital workflows through Agile delivery.
• Ontology and data standards (30%)
• Build and maintain minimum viable ontologies in OWL, RDF and SKOS.
• Make sure documents, models and data products meet metadata standards so they plug into MSS and WDP.
• Shape ontologies and models so AI agents and LLMs can reach authoritative, secure data for decision tools, dashboards and predictive analytics.
• Training and system adoption (30%)
• Teach Knowledge Managers and functional users metadata practice, knowledge capture and platforms such as Microsoft 365, Databricks and Palantir.
• Build data literacy and drive uptake of new digital workflows across directorates.
• Contractor oversight and Agile work packages (10%)
• Check technical work packages for accuracy, completeness and governance compliance.
• Assess scope and dataflow through tools such as JIRA or Slack, and make sure Minimum Viable Product increments meet stakeholder needs.
• Percentages may change with mission needs.

Requirements

• Skills listed: artificial intelligence, knowledge engineering and machine learning.
• Required Qualifications: a bachelor's degree, mandatory under the DEOS contract with no substitutions.
• Required Qualifications: 10+ years in knowledge management, process engineering or closely related fields.
• Required Qualifications: experience leading cross-functional teams in DoW or IC environments.
• Required Qualifications: hands-on Microsoft 365 configuration, including SharePoint administration, Power Automate workflows and Teams governance, with the ability to build rather than only advise.
• Required Qualifications: experience in a U.S. military headquarters or Joint Staff directorate, familiar with battle rhythm, command processes and operational documentation.
• Required Qualifications: a record of leading change and winning adoption from senior stakeholders at O-6 and SES level.
• Required Qualifications: practical work with ontologies, metadata standards and workflow digitization.
• Required Qualifications: U.S. citizenship, eligible for SOFA status and required country clearances.
• Required Qualifications: DOW security clearance at TS/SCI.
• Desired Qualifications: Power Apps or Power BI for dashboards and decision support.
• Desired Qualifications: familiarity with CDAO/CKDP frameworks, DEOS enterprise services and DoW records management.
• Desired Qualifications: background in knowledge engineering frameworks, semantic technologies or content modeling.
• Desired Qualifications: experience with data ingestion, tagging and interoperability across MSS, WDP or similar analytics platforms.
• No certifications are listed.

Conditions

Onsite work.

40 scheduled hours per week.

Travel: less than 10%.

International position.

Base salary range: $136,000 to $184,000. This is a likely range, not a guarantee, and pay is set by experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements, so it could fall outside it.

International pay varies with tax, social security, immigration status and location, and assignments may add allowances, premium uplifts, or relocation or transport support on top of base salary.

You must complete an identity verification process using biometrics and AI, and be on camera during virtual interviews; the company may photograph you to verify identity, and by proceeding you authorize use of your biometric data for that purpose.

Equal opportunity employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Benefits

• Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, plus dental and vision plans.
• 401(k) with pre-tax and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits and a company match.
• Full flex work weeks where possible.
• 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-powered career tool that suggests career steps and learning, and an internal mobility team to help with career goals.
• A military-friendly, award-winning workplace culture.