The Role
The role involves developing advanced AI/ML systems focused on ontology engineering and semantic data modeling, working with cross-functional teams, and applying machine learning techniques.
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Excelity is seeking an Ontologically Aware Data Scientist for a project responsible for building the next generation Mission Integration Systems for an exciting Government customer with a very critical mission. The candidate will work with the engineering team and customer to ensure successful development of high profile, complex, technical deliverables that are core to the continued success of our award-winning projects.
You will design, build, and operationalize knowledge centric AI/ML systems that integrate ontology engineering, semantic data modeling, and advanced analytics. This role blends deep experience with RDF/OWL/SHACL and graph data models with practical machine learning, natural language processing, and context engineering. You will develop semantic foundations and AI-driven tooling that enable multiple organizations to communicate using shared ontologies and that support natural language to SPARQL interfaces with reduced hallucination.
Required Clearance: TS/SCI with CI Poly
Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain logical, semantically rich, extensible ontologies (RDF/OWL/SKOS) aligned to foundational/top level ontologies (BFO, DOLCE, CCO, OBO Foundry).
- Build and evolve canonical vocabularies that unify heterogeneous datasets across organizational boundaries
- Design, implement, and maintain knowledge graphs and semantic data models using AnzoGraph including modeling tradeoffs, query optimization, and production operations.
- Create SHACL validation layers; run regular quality checks to ensure consistency, backward compatibility, and schema integrity.
- Write performant SPARQL queries; develop mapping views, CONSTRUCT transformations, and federated semantic integrations.
- Develop hybrid ontology–GenAI capabilities, including natural language to SPARQL pipelines with context engineering frameworks (e.g., DSPy) to reduce hallucination and improve schema grounding.
- Apply machine learning techniques—classification, embedding based retrieval, entity resolution, and model fine tuning—to support ontology evolution, reification, and inference.
- Partner with cross functional teams (Data Engineering, Developers, content owners) to understand information needs and deliver semantic/analytical solutions.
- Produce clear, accessible technical documentation; deliver onboarding and training for both technical and non technical users.
- Apply strong software engineering discipline to semantic assets: version control, code review, automated SHACL/dbt tests, CI/CD pipeline alignment.
- Support both new development and ongoing operations/maintenance across unclassified and classified environments.
Required Skills:
- A bachelor’s degree and 14 years of relevant experience OR a Master’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience OR A PhD with 9 years of relevant experience
- Prefer an advanced degree in Philosophy, Computer Science, Information Science, or a quantitative field, or equivalent experience.
- Deep proficiency in ontology languages (RDF, OWL, SHACL) and vocabularies (SKOS).
- Strong SPARQL skills; experience with semantic ETL, query optimization, and graph reasoning.
- Proficiency in Python (plus R/Java as needed) for data science, graph processing, and ML model development.
- Strong engineering practices: Git, PR workflow, testing/validation, CI/CD.
Desired Skills:
- Hands-on experience with ontology/graph platforms such as Protégé, AnzoGraph, Stardog, PoolParty, or Semaphore.
- Experience integrating disparate datasets into a unified semantic model and writing effective production-grade queries.
- Familiarity with upper ontologies (BFO, DOLCE, Common Core Ontologies, OBO Foundry).
- Knowledge of machine learning, including supervised/unsupervised methods, embeddings, and model fine tuning.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Flexible work schedule
- 100% Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance plans with Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Long and Short-term disability coverage
- Generous paid vacation and holiday time
- Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Plan with 6% Employer matching contributions
- Reimbursement for professional and training development
- Company-paid memberships to professional organizations
Excelity is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Top Skills
Owl
Python
Rdf
Shacl
Sparql
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The Company
What We Do
Excelity is a small business and services provider to the federal government providing senior and thought leadership in Agile development. Excelity solves the government’s most systemic challenges by applying rigorous approaches to understanding the customer base in order implement the right IT solutions and advance agency missions.
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