Role profile
Ontology Engineer
Turn domain knowledge into precise, governed and machine-usable concepts, relationships, constraints and rules.
The mandate
Engineer ontologies that preserve business intent while remaining usable by data platforms, knowledge graphs and AI systems. You will work closely with domain experts and architects to convert language, policies and models into semantic assets that can be validated and operationalized.
What you will own
- Elicit and formalize concepts, definitions, taxonomies, relationships and constraints.
- Develop modular ontologies using appropriate standards and modeling patterns.
- Map source vocabularies, schemas and metadata to governed enterprise concepts.
- Create competency questions and validation rules that test semantic fitness.
- Manage versioning, provenance, reuse and controlled evolution of ontology assets.
- Collaborate with graph, data and AI engineers to operationalize semantic models.
- Document decisions clearly enough for both domain experts and technical teams.
What you bring
- Hands-on experience designing ontologies, controlled vocabularies or semantic models.
- Working proficiency with RDF, RDFS, OWL, SHACL and SPARQL.
- Understanding of upper ontologies, modular design, identity, temporality and provenance.
- Ability to translate ambiguous business language into precise structures without over-modeling.
- Experience with ontology tooling, repositories and collaborative governance.
- Strong written communication and disciplined analytical thinking.
Especially valuable
- Experience with financial services, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, retail, education or technology domains.
- Familiarity with SKOS, JSON-LD, graph databases, data catalogs or model-driven integration.
- Experience supporting semantic search, GraphRAG, agents or policy-aware AI systems.
- Knowledge of enterprise data modeling and data-contract patterns.
What success looks like
Domain knowledge becomes reusable infrastructure. Definitions remain intelligible to experts, formal enough for validation and practical enough to improve real platforms, products and agents.
Role structure
This profile supports Semantology’s developing talent network and may not represent an immediate vacancy. Opportunities may be full-time, contract or advisory based on business need. Formal postings or offers will specify compensation, benefits, classification, location and travel.
How to apply
Email your résumé and a role-specific cover letter to hello@semantology.io. Include “Ontology Engineer” in the subject line.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Semantology is unable to provide or assume employment-based visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may be unable to respond individually to every applicant. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Employment notices
Equal opportunity
Semantology provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Reasonable accommodation
Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact hello@semantology.io with “Accommodation Request” in the subject line.
Applicant information
Application materials will be used for recruiting and related business purposes. Please do not submit Social Security numbers, financial information, medical records or other unnecessary sensitive information.
Posting status
This role profile does not constitute an offer, promise or employment contract. Responsibilities may evolve with business requirements. Any employment relationship will be at will to the extent permitted by applicable law. Unsolicited agency submissions will not create an obligation or fee unless governed by a written agreement signed by Semantology.