Ontology Software Developer (TS/SCI)

About the role

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. This position requires an active U.S. Government Security Clearance at the TS/SCI level with CI polygraph. As a Software Engineer, you will design, develop, integrate, and maintain software applications and services that support Object-Based Intelligence (OBI) mission requirements, enterprise ontologies, and knowledge graph capabilities. You will serve as a key contributor to the design, development, and sustainment of mission-critical software solutions enabling semantic data integration, knowledge management, and advanced analytics.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. Citizen with an active or eligible U.S. Government security clearance. Certain roles may also be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain software applications and microservices supporting Object-Based Intelligence mission requirements.
• Develop APIs and backend services that integrate with enterprise ontologies, knowledge graphs, semantic databases, and object-management systems.
• Implement software solutions that leverage Semantic Web technologies, including RDF, OWL, SPARQL, and graph-based data models, to enable advanced search, reasoning, and data interoperability.
• Collaborate with ontology engineers, database engineers, data scientists, analysts, and Government stakeholders to translate mission requirements into scalable software solutions.
• Design and develop secure, containerized applications using modern software engineering practices and cloud-native technologies.
• Integrate heterogeneous data sources through RESTful APIs, messaging services, and data integration frameworks to support enterprise knowledge management.
• Develop automated unit, integration, and system tests while supporting continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, and reliability to support high-volume mission operations and advanced analytics.
• Participate in Agile development activities, including sprint planning, code reviews, technical design sessions, and backlog refinement.
• Produce and maintain software design documentation, interface specifications, API documentation, and technical implementation guides.
• Support AI/ML initiatives by developing software services that enable access to semantic data, knowledge graphs, and contextual reasoning capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and knowledge transfer activities to Government personnel and project team members on software engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active TS/SCI clearance with CI polygraph (or eligibility to obtain one).
• 12 years of experience and an advanced degree, or 17 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise software applications using modern programming languages such as Java, Python, or C#.
• Experience developing RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed applications.
• Experience integrating applications with relational databases, graph databases, or semantic data platforms.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies, DevSecOps practices, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Object-Based Intelligence, Intelligence Community, or Department of Defense mission systems.
• Experience developing applications that leverage Semantic Web technologies, including RDF, OWL, SPARQL, knowledge graphs, or graph databases.
• Experience integrating AI/ML services, large language models (LLMs), or advanced analytics capabilities into enterprise applications.
• Experience with cloud-native application development using AWS, Azure, or Red Hat OpenShift.
• Experience implementing secure software development practices in accordance with Government cybersecurity requirements.
• Experience with event-driven architectures, message brokers, and enterprise integration frameworks.
• AWS Certified Developer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, Red Hat Certified Specialist, Security+, or equivalent software engineering certification.
• Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, and formal knowledge transfer to Government personnel or large multidisciplinary teams.

Pay

The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is $165,000.00 - $220,000.00 - $242,000.00 annually. For all other states, geographic cost of labor is used to develop market-driven ranges. Starting pay will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions.

Benefits

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package, including:

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