About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about developing and managing taxonomies and ontologies for defense acquisition data to enhance AI-driven applications. You'll work closely with data engineers and scientists to create structured knowledge systems that improve data search and analysis. It's an individual contributor role focused on technical implementation rather than management.

Good fit

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience in taxonomy and ontology development, along with strong analytical and communication skills. Those who thrive in collaborative environments and have a passion for semantic technologies will do well here.

Worth noting

The position requires a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, which may appeal to those who enjoy bridging the gap between data science and operational needs. The potential for up to 10% travel is also a factor to consider.

Company Description

Govini transforms Defense Acquisition from an outdated manual process to a software-driven strategic advantage for the United States. Our flagship product, Ark, supports Supply Chain, Science and Technology, Production, Sustainment, Logistics, and Modernization teams with AI-enabled Applications and best-in-class data to more rapidly imagine, develop, and field the capabilities we need. Today, the national security community and every branch of the military rely on Govini to enable faster and more informed Acquisition decisions.

Job Description

We are seeking a Knowledge Engineer to join our Data Product & Operations team. In this role, you will build and maintain taxonomies, controlled vocabularies, and domain ontologies that bring structure to complex defense acquisition data. Working alongside data engineers and data scientists, domain experts, and product teams, you'll create semantic models that provide structured knowledge to AI systems and enable effective search, classification, and analysis across Govini's Ark platform.

This role requires systematic analytical thinking, strong communication skills, and a passion for combining theoretical rigor with practical implementation. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in taxonomy and ontology development, along with the ability to guide teams in adopting semantic technologies.

This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Pittsburgh, PA.

This role may require up to 10% travel

Scope of Responsibilities

Build and maintain ontologies, taxonomies, and controlled vocabularies for defense acquisition domains
Map unstructured data to structured semantic models that integrate with Ark's data infrastructure
Establish metadata standards and modeling guidelines in collaboration with data engineering and data science teams
Partner with product and domain experts to translate business requirements into semantic solutions
Document semantic models and provide guidance to support team adoption and effective use
Help drive organization-wide understanding and adoption of semantic technologies and best practices.
Track adoption and measure impact, continuously refining models, tools, and practices

Qualifications

U.S. Citizenship is required

Required Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field
3+ years of experience developing ontologies, taxonomies, or knowledge graphs
Hands-on experience with ontology editors (e.g., Protégé, TopBraid) and graph databases (e.g., Neo4j, RDF stores)
Working knowledge of semantic web standards (OWL, RDF, SKOS, SPARQL)
Proven ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate requirements into semantic models

Desired Skills:

Understanding of how AI/ML and generative AI systems leverage structured knowledge and ontologies
Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one
Experience in or exposure to the nuances of a startup or other entrepreneurial environment
Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field
Familiarity with defense acquisition data and processes
Experience with data modeling, schema design, or metadata management

We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we’re eager to hear from you.

Govini is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Skills & Tags

go ai data product design

Aplyr's read

Govini leverages data analytics to empower government agencies, attracting professionals passionate about technology and public service.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Govini provides critical data-driven insights to government agencies, enhancing decision-making processes.
•The company is at the forefront of integrating AI into government technology solutions.
•Govini's focus on public sector clients ensures stable demand and project continuity.

What to watch

•High reliance on government contracts can lead to revenue fluctuations due to policy changes.
•Navigating complex government procurement processes can delay project timelines.
•Intense competition in the government tech space pressures Govini to continuously innovate.

Why Govini

•Govini specializes in data analytics specifically tailored for government needs.
•The company offers a unique blend of technology and public sector expertise.
•Govini's solutions are designed to address specific challenges faced by defense and space agencies.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Govini

Govini

govini.com

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Govini is a data analytics company that provides insights and analytics to government agencies and contractors, helping them make data-driven decisions.