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Ontologist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

CELESTAR

Lead Ontologist - OBIQUA

Reston, VA · On-site

Celestar Corporation is seeking a Lead Ontologist to support the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA) under the Object Based Intelligence and Quality Assurance (OBIQUA) task order. The primary place of ...

Red Arch Solutions

Ontologist/Data Scientist

Reston, VA · On-site

$195K - $210K/yr

Ontologist/Data Scientist ROLE OVERVIEW Red Arch Solutions is seeking an expert Ontologist to lead the development of standardized, modularized metadata requirements for an enterprise data ...

Enterprise Knowledge

Ontology Consultant

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$110K - $150K/yr

In addition to delivering ontology models, this Ontologist will advise clients at varying levels of maturity on how to implement semantic best practices and expand and scale their ontology programs.

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Ontologist information

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Ontologist in a corporate environment?

As an Ontologist, your daily tasks often involve collaborating with data engineers, subject matter experts, and software developers to design, implement, and refine ontologies that help structure complex data. You’ll spend time modeling relationships between data entities, maintaining and updating knowledge graphs, and ensuring consistency across information systems. Regular meetings and documentation are key parts of the workflow, as they help align ontological frameworks with business goals and user needs. The work environment is generally collaborative and project-driven, offering a mix of independent research and teamwork opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Ontologist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ontologist, you need a solid background in information science, knowledge representation, and formal logic, typically supported by a degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Experience with semantic web technologies (such as RDF, OWL, and SPARQL), ontology management tools (like Protégé), and sometimes certification in data modeling or knowledge engineering is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills make an ontologist stand out. These competencies are critical for designing and maintaining data structures that improve organizational understanding, interoperability, and searchability of information.

How to become an Ontologist?

To become an ontologist, typically a candidate needs a bachelor's degree in computer science, philosophy, or a related field, followed by specialized training or a master's degree in knowledge representation, semantic technologies, or ontology engineering. Gaining experience with tools like OWL, RDF, and Protégé, along with strong analytical and conceptual skills, is also important. Certifications in semantic web technologies can enhance job prospects.

What does an Ontologist do?

An Ontologist develops and maintains formal representations of knowledge within a specific domain, creating ontologies that define concepts and relationships. They often use tools like Protégé and have skills in logic, data modeling, and semantic technologies to enable data integration and reasoning.

What does an Ontologist do?

An Ontologist designs and manages structured frameworks for organizing information, such as taxonomies, ontologies, and metadata schemas. They work to ensure data is meaningfully categorized and interconnected, improving search, retrieval, and interoperability across systems. Ontologists often collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts to develop semantic models that enhance AI, machine learning, and knowledge management applications.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

High-paying roles for an ontologist or similar specialized professionals are rare, with top executive, investment, or entrepreneurial positions often exceeding $500,000 annually. In fields like technology, finance, or healthcare, senior leadership or highly specialized roles with extensive experience and advanced skills may reach or surpass this level, especially with bonuses and stock options.

What is a $900000 AI job?

A $900,000 AI job typically refers to a high-level position in artificial intelligence, such as AI research director, senior machine learning engineer, or AI executive, often requiring advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities. These roles usually involve developing innovative AI solutions, managing teams, and working with cutting-edge technologies, and they tend to be among the highest-paid in the tech industry.
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What job categories do people searching Ontologist jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Ontologist jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Ontologist jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Ontologist job openings:
Ontologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ontologist job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Lead Ontologist - OBIQUA

CELESTAR

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Celestar Corporation is seeking a Lead Ontologist to support the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) under the Object Based Intelligence and Quality Assurance (OBIQUA) task order. The primary place of performance will be at DIA Facilities across the National Capital Region (NCR). If interested and meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding and impactful opportunity.
ANTICIPATED AWARD: October 2026
ANTICIPATED START: October 2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 Base Year + 4 Option Years
LOCATION: DIA Facilities across the National Capital Region (NCR)
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Active TS/SCI with a Current CI Poly (adjudicated within the last 5 years)
About Us:
Celestar, a B&A Company, offers highly competitive salaries and benefits. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company-paid employee and family dental insurance, employee health insurance, life insurance, and disability coverage. Additionally, we provide a 401(k)-retirement plan with company matching, paid holidays, and personal time off.
Responsibilities:
This opportunity supports DIA's Object Based Intelligence and Quality Assurance (OBIQUA) initiative focused on advancing intelligence analysis through Agile program management, AI assurance, analytic innovation, and ontology development.
• The Lead Ontologist is responsible for the development of domain-specific ontologies.
• This position leads the application of semantic web standards (e.g., RDF, OWL, SPARQL) and government data standards to enable semantic representation of data inputs, facilitating integration and interoperability across intelligence systems.
• Design, develop, and maintain domain-specific ontologies supporting intelligence and data integration initiatives.
• Apply semantic web technologies and standards, including RDF, OWL, SPARQL, and related ontology engineering methodologies.
• Develop semantic data models and knowledge representation frameworks to support interoperability across intelligence systems.
• Collaborate with data architects, AI engineers, analysts, and Government stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission requirements.
• Support data integration, discovery, and knowledge management efforts through ontology-driven solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on ontology development, semantic technologies, and emerging industry best practices.
Required Qualifications:
• Demonstrated senior-level expertise in developing and implementing ontologies for complex data systems.
• Experience with semantic web technologies and standards including RDF, OWL, SPARQL, SHACL, or related ontology engineering tools.
• Desired Experience: Minimum 12 years of experience related to the specific labor category with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years.
• Desired Education: Master's degree in an area related to the labor category from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or have Bachelor's degree related to the labor category from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and an additional 5 years of related senior experience, for a total of 17 years, as a substitute to the Master's degree
Come on board with a company that Values its Employees!
Celestar Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Celestar Corporation prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment based on race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex (including same-sex); sexual orientation; gender identity; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability or handicap; citizenship status; marital status; service member/protected veteran status; or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

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