Data Architect – Knowledge Graph & AI

ZS; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

ZS is seeking a senior Information Architect to design information architectures and semantic models across enterprise data landscapes in a client‑facing role in the United States. You will connect business concepts, data domains and enterprise platforms.

The role requires 5+ years in data engineering/architecture, fluency in English, and strong foundations in Python, SQL, APIs and cloud technologies. Hybrid work and travel with client engagements are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as listed or equivalent
• 5+ years of relevant technical experience across Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Data Modeling, Information Architecture, ML/AI, Data Science, Knowledge Graphs, Ontologies or related areas
• Strong Data Acumen across data structures, relationships and modeling concepts
• Strong hands‑on experience with Python, SQL, APIs, data pipelines/ETL, graph databases, cloud technologies
• Experience with ontology, graph or semantic modeling technologies is valued

Responsibilities

• Design information architectures that connect business concepts, data domains and enterprise data
• Develop semantic models and Knowledge Graphs to create consistent meaning and relationships
• Define entities, relationships, hierarchies, business rules and mappings for reuse across use cases
• Design APIs, data pipelines, source-to-target mappings and reusable semantic structures
• Collaborate with business, Data Governance, Data Engineering and domain SMEs to translate requirements into scalable information models
• Ensure end‑to‑end architectures span data sources, processing and consumption across platforms

Skills

Information Architecture

Semantic Design

Data Modeling

Knowledge Graphs

Ontology development

Graph databases

Python

SQL

APIs

Data pipelines/ETL

Cloud technologies

Fluency in English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Analytics, MIS, or a related field

Tools

Neo4j

AWS

GCP

ETL tools

Job description

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Princeton, New Jersey; Bethesda, Maryland; Durham, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois

United States

Consulting

Technology

$160,000.00 - $177,000.00

What you’ll do:

• Information Architecture & Semantic Design: Design information architectures that connect business concepts, data domains and enterprise data. Develop semantic models and Knowledge Graphs that create consistent meaning, context and relationships across complex data landscapes.
• Data Modeling & Knowledge Graphs: Understand complex data structures across different domains and translate them into connected information and knowledge models. Define entities, relationships, hierarchies, business rules and mappings that enable data to be consistently understood and reused across use cases.
• Data Integration & Contextualization: Work with structured and unstructured data from multiple enterprise systems and define how it should be integrated, transformed, mapped and contextualized. Design APIs, data pipelines, source-to-target mappings and reusable semantic structures that connect data to business context.
• Domain Understanding & Requirements: Work across business, Data Governance, Data Engineering, IT and domain SMEs to understand business processes, terminology, data and technology landscapes. Gather functional and non-functional requirements and translate them into scalable information models and semantic designs.
• End-to-End Architecture: Design architectures spanning data sources, integration, processing, contextualization and consumption. Ensure information and semantic models can be effectively consumed through APIs, applications, analytics and enterprise data platforms.
• Semantic Technology Adoption: Apply Ontologies, Knowledge Graphs and semantic technologies to solve complex information and data problems. For candidates coming from adjacent technical disciplines, develop these capabilities through hands‑on delivery, coaching and established semantic assets and approaches.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor's degree, specializing in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Analytics, MIS, or a related field with academic excellence
• At least 5 years of relevant technical experience across Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Data Modeling, Information Architecture, Machine Learning/AI, Data Science, Knowledge Graphs, Ontologies or related areas
• Strong Data Acumen: Strong understanding of data, data structures, relationships and modeling concepts. Ability to explore unfamiliar data domains, identify important entities and relationships, understand how data is generated and consumed, and translate this understanding into logical and reusable models
• Relevant Technical Foundation: strong expertise in one or more of the following areas: Data Engineering with strong data modeling and integration experience; Data Architecture / Information Architecture and enterprise data modeling; Machine Learning, AI Engineering or Data Science with strong understanding of data structures, modeling and engineering; Knowledge Graph engineering and graph technologies; Ontology development and semantic modeling
• Technical Expertise: Strong hands‑on experience across relevant technologies such as Python, SQL, APIs, data pipelines/ETL, graph databases, cloud technologies or modern data platforms. Experience with ontology, graph or semantic modeling technologies is highly valued, but can be developed for candidates with strong adjacent technical foundations
• Information & Data Architecture: Strong understanding of conceptual and logical data modeling, integration patterns, metadata and relationships across different data domains. Ability to quickly understand a new domain and translate business concepts and underlying data structures into reusable information models.
• Architectural Breadth: Ability to understand end-to-end data architectures spanning source systems, integration, processing and consumption, while considering scalability, performance, security and other functional and non‑functional requirements.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration: Ability to work with different personas including business stakeholders, domain SMEs, Data Governance, Data Engineering and IT teams, ask the right questions, structure ambiguous requirements, and translate them into practical data and semantic designs.
• Fluency in English
• Client‑first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem‑solving approach

How you’ll grow:

• Cross‑functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s‑curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on‑site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client‑facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.