Senior Consultant, Data Modeling & Ontology

Infinitive; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Infinitive is a data and AI consultancy helping clients modernize and monetize their data through ontology and semantic modeling. This role focuses on designing and governing enterprise ontologies aligned with data strategy across business units and functions.

You will collaborate with Technology, Machine Learning, and Product teams to embed semantic capabilities into enterprise platforms, ensuring data discoverability, integration, and usability while adhering to standards like RDF/OWL/SKOS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Library Science, or Ontology.
• At least 2 years of metadata-related work.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with W3C standards and linked data (JSON, XML, RDF, RDFS, OWL, SKOS).

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and govern ontologies and optimized data models tailored to stakeholder needs and enterprise data strategy.
• Support data integration initiatives by mapping and aligning disparate data sources to upper-level and domain-specific ontologies.
• Champion the value of semantic technology, data standardization, and knowledge organization across business and technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Technology, Machine Learning, and Product groups to embed semantic capabilities into enterprise platforms and solutions.
• Conduct analysis and implementation of semantic enrichment strategies using ontology modeling tools and methodologies.
• Monitor industry trends and advancements in ontology development, data modeling practices, and the application of semantic technologies in machine learning.
• Ensure adherence to W3C standards, including RDF, RDFS, OWL, SKOS, and SHACL, in all ontology and semantic modeling activities.
• Establish and promote internal best practices for ontology lifecycle management, versioning, and semantic modeling processes.
• Troubleshoot and test ontology models and semantic systems to validate logic, structure, and performance.
• Lead or support special projects and other duties as directed by Product Owners or leadership.

Skills

Ontology design

Semantic data modeling

W3C standards

JSON/XML/RDF

Python

SPARQL

Data governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Library Science, or Ontology

2+ years metadata-related experience

Tools

Protégé

TopBraid EDG

Stardog

PoolParty

Neptune

Data.World

Job description

About Infinitive

Infinitive is a data and AI consultancy that enables its clients to modernize, monetize and operationalize their data to create lasting and substantial value. We possess deep industry and technology expertise to drive and sustain adoption of new capabilities. We match our people and personalities to our clients' culture while bringing the right mix of talent and skills to enable high return on investment.

About Infinitive

Infinitive is a data and AI consultancy that enables its clients to modernize, monetize and operationalize their data to create lasting and substantial value. We possess deep industry and technology expertise to drive and sustain adoption of new capabilities. We match our people and personalities to our clients' culture while bringing the right mix of talent and skills to enable high return on investment.

Infinitive has been named “Best Small Firms to Work For” by Consulting Magazine 9 times most recently in 2026. Infinitive has also been named a Washington Post “Top Workplace”, Washington Business Journal “Best Places to Work”, and Virginia Business “Best Places to Work.”

Job Summary

This consultant will be responsible for developing, implementing, and governing enterprise ontologies and semantic data models that align with an organization’s broader data strategy. This role involves close collaboration with stakeholders across business units and functions to improve data discoverability, integration, and usability through the application of semantic technologies and structured knowledge frameworks. The consultant will play a key role in advancing data-driven innovation and ensuring consistent, scalable knowledge representation across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and govern ontologies and optimized data models tailored to stakeholder needs and enterprise data strategy
• Support data integration initiatives by mapping and aligning disparate data sources to upper-level and domain-specific ontologies
• Champion the value of semantic technology, data standardization, and knowledge organization across business and technical stakeholders
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Technology, Machine Learning, and Product groups to embed semantic capabilities into enterprise platforms and solutions
• Conduct analysis and implementation of semantic enrichment strategies using ontology modeling tools and methodologies
• Monitor industry trends and advancements in ontology development, data modeling practices, and the application of semantic technologies in machine learning
• Ensure adherence to W3C standards, including RDF, RDFS, OWL, SKOS, and SHACL, in all ontology and semantic modeling activities
• Establish and promote internal best practices for ontology lifecycle management, versioning, and semantic modeling processes
• Troubleshoot and test ontology models and semantic systems to validate logic, structure, and performance
• Lead or support special projects and other duties as directed by Product Owners or leadership

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Library Science, or Ontology
• At least 2 years of experience in metadata-related work
• Minimum 2 years of experience or training with W3C standards and linked data (JSON, XML, RDF, RDFS, OWL, SKOS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Understanding of controlled vocabularies, thesauri, and ontology development
• Familiarity with graph databases and technologies
• Experience with Python or R
• Familiarity with JSON, OpenAPI/YAML, AVRO
• Experience working in Agile environments
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong project management capabilities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet deadlines
• Experience or training in ontology and linked data tools (e.g., TopBraid EDG, Protégé, TopQuadrant, PoolParty, Stardog, AnzoGraph, Neptune, Data.World)
• Experience or training with SQL or SPARQL

Infinitive is required by law in some jurisdictions to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set, level, experience, relevant training, and licensure and certifications. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is $90,000 - $154,00.00.

Infinitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.