Ontologist

SOS International LLC; El Paso (TX); Remote; USD 137,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

SOSi is seeking an Ontologist to support a DoD customer, developing ontologies to enable real-time information sharing and mission-tailored analytics. The role focuses on scalable, federated data ecosystems, semantic tagging, and metadata governance across systems.

Preferred candidates hold a Master’s or PhD or have 11+ years in ontology development, with strong Java, Python, and DevSecOps skills. Remote work options are available.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or 11+ years in ontology development or semantic technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and maintain domain-specific ontologies to support structured data integration, semantic search, and AI-assisted decision support.
• Enforce adherence to W3C standards and metadata alignment between Databricks Unity Catalog, GIS metadata systems, and operational data stores.
• Collaborate with data scientists and analysts to ensure ontology-driven tagging and entity resolution enhances research outputs.
• Submit the Ontology Governance & Standardization Report detailing ontology updates, integrations, and compliance with metadata standards.

Skills

Ontology development

SPARQL

OWL

BFO

CCO

Java

Python

Git

CI/CD

Data governance

Education

Master’s or PhD in CS/Info Sci

Tools

Databricks Unity Catalog

ArcGIS

Job description

Remote, Remote, USA

Full-time

Clearance Requirement: None

Compensation: USD 137004 - USD 284548 - yearly

Company Description

Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology and services integrators in the defense and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted results to enable national security missions worldwide.

Job Description

***** This position is contingent upon contract award *****

SOSi is seeking an Ontologist to support mission requirements for a structured approach to further develop, integrate, and sustain a scalable, federated data ecosystem that enhances interoperability, governance, and mission-driven analytics for a DoD customer. The primary objective of the program is to bridge the operational gaps between DoD, IC, interagency, and non-traditional international partners to enable real-time information sharing, dynamic data integration, and mission-tailored analytical capabilities.

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop, refine, and maintain domain-specific ontologies to support structured data integration, semantic search, and AI-assisted decision support.

• Enforce adherence to W3C standards and metadata alignment between Databricks Unity Catalog, GIS metadata systems, and operational data stores.

• Collaborate with data scientists and analysts to ensure ontology-driven tagging and entity resolution enhances the relevance of research outputs.

• Submit the Ontology Governance & Standardization Report, detailing ontology updates, integrations, and compliance with metadata standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher (e.g., Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Science, GIS, Data Science, Business Analytics, Cognitive Science, or a closely related field; OR a minimum of 11+ years of experience in ontology development, semantic technologies.

• Possess the knowledge and capability to develop ontologies:

• Proficiency in writing advanced SPARQL queries.

• Strong skills in the W3C Web Ontology Language (OWL).

• Solid understanding of Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and Common Core Ontologies (CCO).

• Proficiency in both Java and Python for ontology-driven application development

• Experience with Bash scripting for automation tasks.

• Hands-on experience with ESRI data tools, including ArcGIS.

• Background in DevSecOps practices, version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively.

• Demonstrated expertise in ontology design, semantic data modeling, and SPARQL query development, with proficiency in W3C standards (RDF, OWL, SHACL) and supporting frameworks like Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and Common Core Ontologies (CCO).

Working Conditions

• Remote. Offsite.

Working at SOSi

All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against for any reason.

SOSi is an equal employment opportunity employer and affirmative action employer. All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or protected veteran status. SOSi takes affirmative action in support of its policy to advance diversity and inclusion of individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.