Ontology Engineer - Herndon

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 looking for 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 seek knowledge of ontology engineering methods, data modeling principles, and semantic interoperability frameworks. - We need the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. - Preferred candidates will have experience building and maintaining enterprise knowledge graphs and integrating diverse data sources. - Preferred candidates will be familiar with AI/ML workflows and how ontologies improve explainability, reasoning, and decision support. - Preferred candidates will have experience leading technical work, mentoring others, and delivering formal knowledge transfer to government personnel or large multidisciplinary teams. - Preferred candidates may hold a CDMP or equivalent data architecture certification. - Preferred candidates may hold a CKM or comparable knowledge management credential. - Preferred candidates may have formal training or certification in Semantic Web technologies, knowledge graphs, ontology engineering, RDF, OWL, or SPARQL.

Responsibilities:
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- We will have you design, develop, and maintain domain-specific ontologies, taxonomies, and knowledge graphs in support of Object-Based Intelligence mission objectives. - We will have you apply Semantic Web standards and technologies, including RDF, OWL, SHACL, and SPARQL, to model, represent, and query complex data relationships. - We will have you build and sustain semantic data integration frameworks that improve interoperability across internal and external object-management systems. - We will have you partner with analysts, data scientists, engineers, and government stakeholders to gather requirements and convert mission needs into formal knowledge models. - We will have you establish ontology governance processes, standards, documentation, and version-control practices to support consistency and scalability. - We will have you support AI/ML initiatives by providing structured knowledge representations that improve explainability, interpretability, and contextual reasoning. - We will have you conduct ontology validation, testing, and quality assurance to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with mission needs. - We will have you provide technical leadership, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to government personnel and project team members on ontology development and semantic technologies.
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Company:
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We are Vantor, an organization focused on spatial intelligence and mission-driven problem solving, helping decision makers and operators better understand what is happening now and anticipate what comes next. This is a full-time onsite role for an Ontology Lead supporting Object Based Intelligence work, and it requires U.S. citizenship plus an active TS/SCI clearance with CI polygraph. 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. The base pay for the Washington, DC metropolitan area is $137,000 to $200,200 annually, with ranges varying by location. We are committed to an inclusive workplace and equal employment opportunity.
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