Senior Ontology Developer

Senior Ontology Developer to design and build secure, mission-focused software services, APIs, and semantic data capabilities for Object-Based Intelligence (OBI) requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain enterprise software applications aligned to Object-Based Intelligence mission requirements.
• Build scalable backend services, RESTful APIs, and user-facing applications integrating ontology services, knowledge graphs, semantic databases, and enterprise data platforms.
• Implement solutions using RDF, OWL, and SPARQL to support semantic search, data integration, and knowledge discovery.
• Work with ontology engineers, database engineers, data engineers, analysts, and Government stakeholders to convert mission requirements into software deliverables.
• Create secure, containerized applications using modern software engineering practices and cloud-native technologies.
• Integrate with relational databases, graph databases, messaging systems, and enterprise APIs to enable access to mission data.
• Participate in Agile DevSecOps activities, including sprint planning, technical design reviews, code reviews, and backlog refinement.
• Develop automated unit, integration, and regression tests; support CI/CD pipeline implementation and delivery.
• Troubleshoot defects, optimize performance, and ensure scalability, reliability, and security.
• Produce and maintain software design documentation, API specifications, technical implementation guides, and operational documentation.
• Support AI/ML initiatives by building services that expose semantic data, contextual knowledge, and enterprise analytics capabilities.
• Provide mentorship to junior developers and support technical guidance and knowledge transfer with Government personnel.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Active TS/SCI with CI polygraph.
• Experience: 10 years with an advanced degree, or 15 years with a bachelor’s degree (as applicable to the experience requirement).
• Demonstrated enterprise software development using Java, Python, C#, or comparable object-oriented programming languages.
• Experience developing RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed applications.
• Experience integrating applications with relational databases, graph databases, or enterprise data platforms.
• Containerization experience with Docker and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Familiarity with Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD, and Git-based version control.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Technologies

• Java, Python, C#, RESTful APIs, microservices
• RDF, OWL, SPARQL, Semantic Web technologies
• Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Git, CI/CD
• Unit tests, integration tests, regression tests
• Relational databases, graph databases, messaging systems
• AI/ML, enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, semantic data integration
• Containerized applications, cloud-native technologies
• AWS, Azure, Red Hat OpenShift
• RMF principles, LLMs (large language models)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Object-Based Intelligence, Intelligence Community, or Department of Defense mission systems.
• Experience integrating applications with enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, or Semantic Web technologies (RDF, OWL, SPARQL).
• Experience with cloud-native application development using AWS, Azure, or Red Hat OpenShift.
• Experience integrating AI/ML services, LLMs, or advanced analytics capabilities into enterprise applications.
• Experience implementing secure software development practices aligned with Government cybersecurity requirements and RMF principles.
• Certifications such as AWS Certified Developer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, Red Hat Certified Specialist, Security+, or equivalent.
• Experience mentoring developers and providing technical leadership within Agile software development teams.

Benefits

• Robust 401(k) with company match
• Mental health resources
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Adoption reimbursement
• Pet insurance

Location

• Herndon, VA (onsite)

Compensation

• Base pay: $140,000.00 - $187,000.00 - $205,700.00 annually (Washington, DC metropolitan area range)
• For other states, geographic cost of labor is used to develop market-driven ranges, so ranges may differ by location.

Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).