What does a knowledge engineer do?
A Knowledge Engineer specializes in designing and developing computer systems that facilitate human knowledge and thought processes. Their responsibilities often revolve around understanding the client or the company's needs, conducting extensive research and analysis, conceptualizing plans, coordinating with fellow experts, building prototypes and test structures, troubleshooting problems, and developing solutions against problem areas. Knowledge Engineers manage staff and oversee their performance, all while implementing its policies and regulations.
Knowledge engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real knowledge engineer resumes:
- Manage DoD website development and implementation task.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Design and implement the front end components using JSP, XML and HTML.
- Present papers on behalf of DoD at industry conferences.
- Research, create, and conduct training for writers across the globe to improve and harmonize product UI.
- Establish SAN laboratory environment for information storage and management software development firm.
- Provide business process re-engineering, systems integration, and standardization to improve logistics for large-scale, worldwide projects and missions.
- Expedite and simplify the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models
- Demonstrate technology superiority through prototyping, porting and optimizing legacy applications to IBM technology.
Knowledge engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Knowledge Engineers are proficient in Python, SharePoint, and JavaScript. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Knowledge Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 19%
Created Python scripts for scraping HTML data for several areas of Smart Answers for scalable and quick updates.
- SharePoint, 7%
Operate and maintain user support and Joint Staff SharePoint 2010 instances and any future JS Enterprise content management packages.
- JavaScript, 7%
Created troubleshooting web page leveraging JavaScript to debug embedded MMS streaming data utilizing Windows Media Player.
- Java, 7%
Integrated and configured AeroText(TM) using its internal Java API.
- Knowledge Management, 7%
Coordinated and trained client knowledge management team, stimulating knowledge for migration of legacy documentation, application features, and functionality.
- HTML, 5%
Used Microsoft Front Page, HTML, Visio, and Acrobat Exchange to create documents.
Most knowledge engineers use their skills in "python," "sharepoint," and "javascript" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential knowledge engineer responsibilities here:
Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a knowledge engineer to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what knowledge engineers do because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Additionally, a knowledge engineer resume shows how knowledge engineers use listening skills: "integrated components like partial triggers, calendar, and action/value change listeners with jsf for enhancing the front end gui layout. "
Math skills. Many knowledge engineer duties rely on math skills. "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.," so a knowledge engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways knowledge engineer responsibilities rely on math skills: "developed software in ada for the data analysis subsystem for analysis and mathematical modeling of mk 92 fcs real-time data. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of knowledge engineers is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday knowledge engineer duties, as "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "assist in data collection of mechanical, electrical, plumbing (mep) utilities for environmental and regulation purposes. "
Creativity. knowledge engineer responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." This resume example shows what knowledge engineers do with creativity on a typical day: "designed and built an inventory simulation model as part of a customer relationship management system. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a knowledge engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what knowledge engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to knowledge engineer duties can be seen in an example from a knowledge engineer resume snippet: "support for training of knowledge management concepts, best practices, and solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most knowledge engineers are:
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.4 knowledge engineers jobs
- Bosch USA3 knowledge engineers jobs
- Glaxosmithkline2 knowledge engineers jobs
Compare different knowledge engineers
Knowledge engineer vs. Developer
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between knowledge engineers and developer. For instance, knowledge engineer responsibilities require skills such as "sharepoint," "knowledge management," "process improvement," and "extraction." Whereas a developer is skilled in "css," "git," "aws," and "jquery." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Developers really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $104,286. Comparatively, knowledge engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $100,614.On average, developers reach similar levels of education than knowledge engineers. Developers are 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Knowledge engineer vs. Software development engineer
A software development engineer is responsible for designing and developing software systems and applications based on clients' specifications and business needs. Software development engineers manage operating systems and analyze network codes to maintain the compatibility of the software applications and control systems. They also run diagnostic tests for every software structure to ensure smooth navigations and perform immediate troubleshooting for inconsistencies. A software development engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, as well as technological processes and analytical skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real knowledge engineer resumes. While knowledge engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "javascript," "knowledge management," "process improvement," and "extraction," software development engineers use skills like "software development," "aws," "web services," and "object oriented programming."
Software development engineers earn a higher average salary than knowledge engineers. But software development engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $127,910. Additionally, knowledge engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $100,614 annually.In general, software development engineers achieve similar levels of education than knowledge engineers. They're 3.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 4.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for knowledge engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Knowledge engineer vs. Software design engineer
A software design engineer or SDE is part of a software development enterprise. Software design engineers determine the problems or issues and figure out how to establish programs to ease and automate the situations. They fabricate style sheets for the management of the individual aspects of huge engineering projects. It is their job to develop strategies for hardware architecture and software engineering. They also handle and mentor engineering interns for professional guidance.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, knowledge engineers are more likely to have skills like "javascript," "knowledge management," "process improvement," and "visualization." But a software design engineer is more likely to have skills like "software development," "software design," "linux," and "git."
Software design engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $108,183. On the other hand, knowledge engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $100,614.When it comes to education, software design engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to knowledge engineers. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Knowledge engineer vs. Senior software development engineer
A senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of knowledge engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
