Ontology Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Mission Pavati Solutions is seeking a Principal Ontology Engineer to serve as the lead architect for a unified, vendor-agnostic worldview. We aren't looking for someone to "configure" a tool; we are looking for a Foundational Thinker to design the logic that allows the government to achieve Semantic Sovereignty. While proprietary stacks like Palantir Foundry provide the "plumbing," you will be the one architecting the "Source of Truth" that ensures the mission remains independent, interoperable, and future-proof. Why This is a "Principal" Career Move * Architectural Independence: You won’t be boxed in by vendor-specific limitations. You will lead the First Principles Design of BFO-compliant ontologies that serve the mission's long-term interests, not a corporate roadmap.
* Semantic Sovereignty: You are the guardian of the customer’s data logic. You will ensure that their "Data Fabric" is a true, open-standard architecture that outlasts the lifecycle of any single vendor.
* Radical Autonomy: We hire Principals because we trust their Technical Rigor. You will have the mandate to set the standards and define the semantic boundaries without the noise of corporate bureaucracy. What You’ll Do * Design the Foundation: Architect and implement sophisticated ontologies using Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and OWL to represent complex, high-stakes mission domains.
* Build the Data Fabric: Lead the creation of Knowledge Graphs and semantic models that allow disparate organizations to speak the same language, enabling true data interoperability.
* Engineer Trust: Use SHACL and SPARQL to build self-validating data structures, ensuring that AI/ML teams have high-fidelity, trusted data for their models.
* Serve as a Trusted Advisor: Work across agency boundaries to advocate for semantic standards, helping the customer move from legacy data silos to a modern, automated data environment. Who You Are * A Foundational Thinker (9–13+ years): You are a master of formal logic who believes that a well-designed ontology is the ultimate "Force Multiplier" for AI. (Advanced degrees—Masters/PhD—count toward experience).
* Technically Agnostic: You understand the IC/DoD ecosystem and have seen the "lock-in" risks of proprietary tools. You are driven to build something better—a vendor-neutral foundation that works across every platform.
* A "Zero-to-One" Architect: You thrive when translating messy, high-stakes mission domains into elegant, BFO-compliant models that stand the test of time. Technical Pillars * Principled Modeling: Expert command of BFO (Basic Formal Ontology) is essential for this "Source of Truth" mission.
* The Semantic Stack: Mastery of OWL, RDF, RDFS, and SPARQL.
* Validation & Logic: Deep experience with SHACL to ensure that data remains high-fidelity across disparate agency feeds. Why Pavati * Direct Mission Impact: Your work is the "Rosetta Stone" that makes national security AI possible.
* The "Home Team" Support: Even when onsite with the customer, you are part of a collaborative circle of Pavati engineers who have your back.
* Top-Tier Compensation: We offer highly competitive packages that recognize the rare expertise of a Principal-level Ontologist.
* More Engineering, Less Corporate: We cut through the noise so you can focus on building the logic that powers the mission. Pavati provides a premium, trust-based rewards package that includes comprehensive healthcare, a robust 401(k) program, and an unlimited PTO policy. We further invest in your professional growth through a dedicated annual allowance for education and advanced certifications. Location & Flexibility: This is a Hybrid role requiring high side access. It is not a fully Remote position. Your time will be split between remote work, client sites, and cleared office space based on the specific needs of the mission. About Pavati Pavati is focused on closing the gap between commercial innovation and government adoption. We don’t do "business as usual." We help advanced technologies move quickly and securely into operational use by cutting through the noise and focusing on practical, high-impact outcomes. If you want to spend more time architecting and less time navigating bureaucracy, we want to talk.