Senior Knowledge Graph & Ontology Architect

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation is seeking a Senior Knowledge Graph & Ontology Architect to design and govern enterprise semantic architectures for scalable, AI-ready knowledge systems.

You will collaborate with data architects, engineers, and client stakeholders to power search, analytics, and agentic AI solutions. The role requires 8+ years in related fields and hands-on ontology/graph expertise.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in data or knowledge graph architecture or ontology engineering.
• Hands-on with OWL/RDF ontologies, semantic modeling, SHACL constraint authoring.
• Experience architecting graph-based knowledge systems with Neo4j, Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB or Stardog.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with working knowledge of GCP services like BigQuery, Dataplex, Vector Search.
• Experience establishing data governance frameworks: glossaries, KPI definitions, lineage standards, access controls.

Responsibilities

• Design and govern enterprise ontologies, semantic models, and knowledge graph architectures.
• Lead development of business domain models and governed vocabularies across key entities.
• Define and maintain enterprise glossaries, KPI registries, semantic standards, and governance processes.
• Architect graph-based knowledge platforms using platforms such as Neo4j, Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB, Stardog, Jena, Spanner Graph, BigQuery, Dataplex, Vector Search.
• Partner with engineering, AI, and platform teams to establish governance controls, security standards, and AI guardrails.

Skills

Python

SQL

Ontology design

Knowledge graphs

Data architecture

Stakeholder collaboration

Tools

Neo4j

Amazon Neptune

TigerGraph

GraphDB

Stardog

Apache Jena

Job description

About the role

As a Senior Knowledge Graph & Ontology Architect, you will make an impact by designing and governing enterprise semantic architectures that enable trusted, scalable, and AI-ready knowledge systems. You will be a valued member of our Data & AI team and work collaboratively with data architects, engineers, data domain experts, AI specialists, and client stakeholders to establish the semantic foundation that powers enterprise knowledge graphs, search, analytics, and agentic AI solutions.

In this role

• Design and govern enterprise ontologies, semantic models, and knowledge graph architectures, including OWL/RDF ontologies, classes, properties, taxonomy structures, and SHACL validation frameworks.
• Lead the development of business domain models and governed vocabularies across key entities, ensuring consistency, traceability, and alignment with business objectives.
• Define and maintain enterprise business glossaries, KPI registries, semantic standards, and governance processes, including ownership models and change management workflows.
• Architect graph-based knowledge platforms using technologies such as Spanner Graph, Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB, Dataplex, BigQuery, and Vector Search.
• Partner with engineering, AI, and platform teams to establish governance controls, security standards, lineage frameworks, and AI architecture guardrails that ensure trustworthy and scalable solutions.

What you need to have to be considered

• 8+ years of experience in data architecture, knowledge graph architecture, ontology engineering, or related disciplines, including significant experience leading ontology and semantic model design initiatives.
• Hands-on expertise with OWL/RDF ontology development, semantic modeling, taxonomy management, and SHACL constraint authoring or equivalent ontology frameworks.
• Experience architecting graph-based knowledge systems using platforms such as Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB, Stardog, Apache Jena, Spanner Graph, or similar technologies.
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL, with working knowledge of Google Cloud Platform services including BigQuery, Dataplex, and Vector Search.
• Experience establishing data governance frameworks, including business glossaries, KPI definitions, lineage standards, access controls, and metadata governance.
• Proven ability to collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to resolve complex data modeling challenges and drive enterprise architecture decisions.

These will help you stand out

• Direct experience with Spanner Graph, Graph Query Language (GQL), or advanced property graph implementations.
• Experience designing knowledge architectures that support agentic AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or Vertex AI/Gemini solutions.
• Telecommunications industry experience, including familiarity with OSS/BSS environments and TM Forum frameworks such as SID and eTOM.
• Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, Professional Cloud Architect, or equivalent cloud certifications.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale semantic transformation initiatives across complex, multi-source data ecosystems.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until November 29, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $ 130,000 - $ 160,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.