Ontology Engineer

Job Description

Requirements
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### Must have:

### - We require U.S. citizenship and an active TS/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph. - We are seeking someone with 12 years of experience plus an advanced degree, or 17 years of experience with a bachelors degree. - We need demonstrated experience designing and implementing ontologies, taxonomies, or knowledge graphs in operational or research settings. - We require hands-on experience with Semantic Web technologies such as RDF, OWL, and SPARQL. - We value knowledge of ontology engineering methods, data modeling principles, and semantic interoperability frameworks. - We need the ability to communicate complex technical ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. - Preferred candidates will have experience building and sustaining enterprise knowledge graphs and integrating diverse data sources. - Preferred candidates will be familiar with AI/ML workflows and using ontologies to improve explainability, reasoning, and decision support. - Preferred candidates will have experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, and formal knowledge transfer to Government personnel or large multidisciplinary teams. - Preferred candidates may hold CDMP, CKM, or similar credentials in data management, data architecture, knowledge management, or Semantic Web technologies.

Responsibilities:
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- We design, develop, and maintain domain-specific ontologies, taxonomies, and knowledge graphs in support of Object-Based Intelligence mission goals. - We apply Semantic Web standards and technologies, including RDF, OWL, SHACL, and SPARQL, to model, represent, and query complex relationships. - We build and sustain semantic data integration frameworks that improve interoperability across internal and external object-management systems. - We work closely with analysts, data scientists, engineers, and Government stakeholders to gather requirements and convert mission needs into formal knowledge models. - We develop governance processes, standards, documentation, and version-control practices to keep ontologies consistent and scalable. - We support AI/ML initiatives by delivering structured knowledge representations that enhance explainability, interpretability, and contextual reasoning. - We conduct validation, testing, and quality assurance to ensure ontologies are accurate, complete, and aligned with mission needs. - We provide technical leadership, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to Government personnel and project team members on ontology methods and semantic technologies.
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Company:
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We are Vantor, a company forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence and helping decision makers and operators understand what is happening now and anticipate what comes next. This is a mission-focused, onsite role for an Ontology Lead supporting Object-Based Intelligence work. We offer a competitive total rewards package that includes a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement, and pet insurance. This role includes pay transparency for the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a base salary range of $137,000 to $200,200 annually, and the application window is short, remaining open for three days from posting or reposting until a qualified candidate is identified. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace.
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