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Data Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Pilot Company

Engineer II, Analytics

Knoxville, TN

Integrate data from disparate sources (internal and external) into data products that are consumed ... Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or other quantitative discipline ...

Pilot Company

Engineer II, Analytics

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Integrate data from disparate sources (internal and external) into data products that are consumed ... Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or other quantitative discipline ...

Pilot Company

Engineer II, Analytics

Knoxville, TN

Integrate data from disparate sources (internal and external) into data products that are consumed ... Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or other quantitative discipline ...

Pilot Flying J

Engineer II, Analytics

Knoxville, TN

Integrate data from disparate sources (internal and external) into data products that are consumed ... Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering, or other quantitative discipline ...

MDT Technical

Data Scientist

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Data Management & Engineering Collaboration: * Write and optimize complex SQL queries to extract, transform, and analyze large datasets. * Work with cross-functional teams to ensure data accuracy ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsData Engineer JobsData Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Data Engineer information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$38.6K

$112.5K

$154K

How much do data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer in Oak Ridge, TN is $112,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,300.00 and $119,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a data engineer a difficult job?

A data engineer role involves designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure, which requires strong programming skills, knowledge of databases, and familiarity with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms. The job can be challenging due to the complexity of managing large-scale data systems and ensuring data quality and security, but it is manageable with proper training and experience.

What is the difference between Data Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectData EngineerData Scientist
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructureAnalyzing data to extract insights and create models
SkillsSQL, ETL, programming (Python, Java), database managementStatistics, machine learning, data analysis, programming (Python, R)
Work EnvironmentData warehouses, cloud platforms, backend systemsData analysis environments, research labs, visualization tools
Common ToolsApache Spark, Hadoop, Airflow, SQLJupyter, RStudio, Tableau, scikit-learn

Data Engineers focus on creating and maintaining the infrastructure that allows data to be collected, stored, and processed efficiently. Data Scientists analyze this data to generate insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While their skills overlap, Data Engineers are more involved in data pipeline development, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and modeling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, data modeling, and programming languages such as Python or Java, often coupled with a relevant degree. Familiarity with ETL tools, big data frameworks (like Hadoop or Spark), and cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure) is typically required, along with certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set exceptional data engineers apart. These skills and qualities are essential for building robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and supporting data-driven decision-making across organizations.

What Does a Data Engineer Do?

The job duties of a data engineer involve helping with the development of systems, software, and infrastructure used to process, store and analyze data. Your responsibilities in this career include working to install data management software. Your employer may expect you to perform maintenance and install updates to all software and systems that they use for data acquisition, management, and analysis. Data engineers also analyze existing data systems to find ways to improve efficiency and accessibility. You then suggest upgrades or changes based on your assessment.

What are Data Engineers?

Data Engineers are IT professionals who design, construct, install, and maintain large-scale processing systems and other infrastructure for collecting, storing, and analyzing data. They build and optimize data pipelines and architectures that allow organizations to efficiently access and use data for business insights. Data Engineers work closely with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure that data is reliable, accessible, and secure. Their responsibilities often include working with databases, cloud platforms, and big data tools.

How do Data Engineers typically collaborate with Data Scientists and Analysts within an organization?

Data Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that Data Scientists and Analysts have reliable, well-structured data for their projects. This collaboration often involves building and maintaining data pipelines, optimizing data storage solutions, and troubleshooting data quality issues. Regular communication and agile teamwork are common, with Data Engineers frequently participating in meetings to understand analytical requirements and adjust data processes accordingly. By working closely together, these teams can quickly iterate on data models and deliver actionable insights to drive business decisions.

What does a data engineer actually do?

A data engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure and pipelines that enable organizations to collect, store, and process large volumes of data. They work with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible, reliable, and ready for analysis by data scientists and analysts.

Is a data engineer entry level?

Data engineering is typically an intermediate to senior role that requires experience with programming, databases, and data pipelines. Entry-level positions may be available for those with relevant internships, certifications, or strong foundational skills in SQL, Python, or cloud platforms, but most roles expect prior experience or demonstrated technical competence.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior data engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in big data tools, and certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. These roles typically require strong programming, cloud platform expertise, and a deep understanding of data architecture.
More about Data Engineer jobs
What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Data Engineer jobs? Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Data Engineer job openings:
Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Engineer job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $112,541 per year, or $54.1 per hour.
Nonproliferation Data Scientist

Nonproliferation Data Scientist

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 105 rated laboratories

Job description

Requisition Id 16639
Overview:
We are seeking a Nonproliferation Data Scientist to join the Data Science and Engineering for Nonproliferation Group in the National Security Sciences Directorate. In this role, you will develop and apply advanced data science, machine learning, and statistical approaches to challenging problems in nuclear nonproliferation and national security.
The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, software engineers, physicists, and domain experts to develop innovative analytic capabilities that support nuclear material detection, characterization, safeguards, and nuclear fuel cycle analysis. This position provides the opportunity to conduct impactful research while contributing to the development of next-generation scientific software and data-driven methods for national security applications.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
  • Conduct research and development applying machine learning, statistical modeling, optimization, and data science methods to nuclear nonproliferation challenges.
  • Develop, evaluate, and apply data-driven algorithms, selecting appropriate analytical approaches based on problem characteristics, available data, and mission objectives.
  • Develop and maintain scientific software and analytic tools that enable advanced data analysis, modeling, and decision support.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of domain scientists, software developers, and researchers to integrate advanced analytics into mission applications.
  • Design and execute computational studies to assess algorithm performance, quantify uncertainty, and generate actionable insights from complex datasets.
  • Communicate research findings through technical reports, publications, presentations, and interactions with sponsors and collaborators.
  • Contribute to proposal development, program growth activities, and new research initiatives.
  • Ensure all work is performed safely, securely, and in accordance with ORNL policies and procedures.

All team members deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. We foster a respectful, team-focused environment where all individuals can contribute and succeed.
Basic Qualifications
  • PhD in data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or a related quantitative field; or an MS in one of these disciplines with a minimum of two years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated experience applying machine learning, statistical analysis, optimization, or related data science techniques to solve complex technical problems.
  • Experience developing software for scientific computing, data analysis, or machine learning applications.
  • Proficiency in Python and common scientific computing and machine learning libraries.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical results to scientific or technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, statistical modeling, uncertainty quantification, optimization, or scientific machine learning methods.
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate alternative analytical approaches and determine when different algorithms or modeling techniques are most appropriate for a given problem.
  • Experience with research software development practices, including version control, testing, reproducibility, and collaborative software engineering.
  • Experience with open-source scientific software projects.
  • Familiarity with high-performance computing, cloud computing, or large-scale data analytics environments.
  • Knowledge of nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, nuclear fuel cycle analysis, remote sensing, or related national security mission areas.
  • Record of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other research accomplishments.
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary research environments involving both domain scientists and software developers.
  • Familiarity with modern AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or related tools.

Special Requirements:
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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