Senior Ontology and Knowledge Engineer

Vizient; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

Vizient seeks a seasoned data/knowledge engineer to develop and maintain semantic ontologies and models that enable high-quality, interoperable data across the organization. You will translate business concepts into scalable semantic structures, support knowledge graph initiatives, and ensure semantic assets are governed, validated and production-ready for AI-enabled solutions.

You will collaborate with product, data, and business teams to align semantic representations with enterprise data

Qualifications

• Relevant degree preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience required.
• Hands-on knowledge of Semantic Web standards and technologies (RDF, OWL, SKOS, SPARQL, SHACL).
• Experience with graph databases and/or triplestores, including semantic modeling, schema design, and query performance in production.
• Experience integrating disparate datasets through common vocabularies, semantic-to-data mapping, and validation.
• Proficiency with ontology development tools and workflows such as Protégé, TopBraid, PoolParty, Stardog.
• Experience applying foundational/top-level ontologies and standards (e.g., BFO, DOLCE, Common Core Ontologies, OBO Foundry).
• Working knowledge of Python, Java, or similar languages for automation and pipeline integration.
• Experience applying software engineering practices to semantic assets (Git, reviews, automated validation/testing, CI/CD).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills for explaining complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain ontologies, vocabularies, and semantic models aligned with analytics and AI needs.
• Translate client use cases into semantic requirements and implementable models.
• Collaborate with SMEs and technical teams to refine concepts, relationships, and standards.
• Support knowledge graph development and integration with enterprise data platforms, including SPARQL and data mapping.
• Perform validation and quality control to ensure accuracy and interoperability of assets.
• Manage ontology changes via version control, reviews, testing, documentation, and releases.
• Develop and maintain ontology documentation, patterns, standards, and usage guidance.
• Partner with data engineering, platform, product, analytics, and AI teams to align knowledge representation with systems.
• Apply foundational ontologies and standards to enterprise use cases focusing on scalability and usability.
• Develop automation, testing, and semantic pipeline integrations using scripting and software engineering practices.

Skills

Semantic Web standards

RDF

OWL

SPARQL

SHACL

Graph databases

Protégé

TopBraid

PoolParty

Stardog

BFO

DOLCE

Common Core Ontologies

OBO Foundry

Python

Java

Git-based version control

CI/CD

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

Protégé

TopBraid

PoolParty

Stardog

Job description

When you're the best, we're the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

Summary:

In this role, you will develop and maintain semantic ontologies and models that establish consistent business meaning and enable high-quality, interoperable data across the organization. You will translate business and data concepts into scalable semantic models, support knowledge graph development and integration, and collaborate with product, data, and business clients to ensure semantic assets are documented, governed, validated, and production-ready. You will contribute to the semantic foundation that enables advanced analytics, data products, and AI-enabled solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain logical, extensible ontologies, vocabularies, and semantic models aligned with enterprise concepts and analytics and AI needs.
• Translate client use cases into competency questions, semantic requirements, definitions, relationships, and implementable semantic models.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and technical teams to refine concepts, relationships, modeling patterns, and semantic standards.
• Support knowledge graph development and integration with enterprise data platforms, including semantic-to-data mapping, graph and triplestore implementation, and SPARQL query development.
• Perform logical validation, constraint checks, and quality controls to maintain the accuracy, consistency, and interoperability of semantic assets.
• Manage ontology and semantic model changes through established version control, review, testing, documentation, and release practices.
• Develop and maintain ontology documentation, modeling patterns, standards, and usage guidance for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Partner with data engineering, platform, product, analytics, and AI teams to align knowledge representation with enterprise data systems and implementation requirements.
• Apply foundational and top-level ontologies and industry standards to enterprise use cases while balancing scalability, extensibility, and usability.
• Develop automation, testing, and semantic pipeline integrations using scripting, programming, and software engineering practices.

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree preferred.
• 5 or more years of relevant experience required.
• Hands-on knowledge of Semantic Web standards and technologies, including RDF, OWL, SKOS, SPARQL, and SHACL.
• Experience with graph databases and/or triplestores, including semantic modeling, schema design, and query performance considerations in production environments.
• Experience integrating disparate datasets through common vocabularies, semantic-to-data mapping, and validation.
• Proficiency with ontology development tools and workflows such as Protégé, TopBraid, PoolParty, Stardog, or similar technologies.
• Experience applying foundational or top-level ontologies and standards such as BFO, DOLCE, Common Core Ontologies, OBO Foundry, or similar frameworks to enterprise needs.
• Working knowledge of Python, Java, or similar programming languages to support automation, testing, and semantic pipeline integration.
• Experience applying software engineering practices to semantic assets, including Git-based version control, review workflows, automated validation and testing, and CI/CD release practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex semantic concepts clearly to technical and non-technical clients.

Estimated Hiring Range:

At Vizient, we consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current salary range for this role is $102,400.00 to $179,000.00.

This position is also incentive eligible.

Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here:

http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer: Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.