Ontology Software Developer (TS/SCI Clearance)

Herndon, VA

@Orchard is retained by a top geospatial technology company in their search for a seeking a Software Engineer to join our team. In this position 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.

The Software Engineer serves as a key contributor to the design, development, and sustainment of mission-critical software solutions that enable semantic data integration, knowledge management, and advanced analytics. This position develops scalable applications, APIs, and microservices that integrate ontology-driven data models, knowledge graphs, and enterprise data sources to support Object-Based Intelligence workflows. Working within an Agile DevSecOps environment, the Software Engineer collaborates with ontology engineers, database engineers, data scientists, and Government stakeholders to deliver secure, high-performance applications that leverage Semantic Web technologies and AI/ML capabilities.

Your Role/Responsibilities:

As an Ontology Software Developer you will:

• 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.

Minimum Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Must have a current/active TS/SCI and be willing and able to pass a CI polygraph. 
• 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.

Established in 2010, @Orchard has an exceptional reputation, providing talent acquisition solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atorchard.com.