Ontology Engineer

We have an opening for an Ontology Engineer to support the Strategic Deterrence Applications (SD Apps) program within the Strategic Deterrence directorate. Working with multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams, you will enable standardization of enterprise metadata from a centralized triple store, develop and maintain custom and external ontologies related to materials, tests, and other domains, and coordinate with other ontologists to ensure work is properly scoped, aligned, and integrated. This position is in the Applications, Simulations, and Quality (ASQ) Division within the Computing Directorate. 

This position can support a hybrid work schedule.  Business needs dictate a presence on-site several days per week.  

This position will be filled at the SES.2 or SES.3 level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Lead ontology development efforts to describe materials work, testing, and other domains relevant to SD and the National Security Enterprise (NSE). 
• Evaluate ontology management solutions for use within the Product Realization Integrated Digital Enterprise (PRIDE) portfolio. 
• Participate in the requirements definition, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and optimization of a COTS ontology management system on multiple networks. 
• Define strategy for integration between the ontology management system (OMS) and source data management repositories. 
• Identify existing ontologies/taxonomies developed both within the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) or by external subject matter experts (e.g., professional organizations, professional libraries) and implement these best practices at LLNL. 
• Support triple store development and investigation by writing SPARQL/SHACL queries and commands. 
• Contribute to the fulfillment of technical projects and organizational objectives, functioning as an effective team member on multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 Level

• Exercise independent discretion and judgement to define, develop, and implement original solutions to complex data needs across a broad set of disciplines at the team, directorate, and institutional level. 
• Provide formal/informal technical leadership and/or domain expertise in researching, advising and recommending technical solutions and approaches.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a US DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.   
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computational linguistics, information systems, artificial intelligence, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience. 
• Comprehensive experience with ontologies, knowledge graphs, and/or semantic technologies such as Protégé, Semaphore, PoolParty, or related ontology/taxonomy management systems. 
• Broad knowledge of standards such as RDF, OWL, SPARQL, and SHACL. 
• Proficient experience implementing innovative approaches and applying new technologies to broadly defined tasks and projects. 
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills to prepare, present, and document technical information. 
• Collaboration and interpersonal skills necessary to interact with all levels of personnel in a multi-disciplinary environment. 

Additional Qualifications at the SES.3 Level

• Advanced experience collaborating with management, customers or high-level technical personnel to provide direction in the design, evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of systems, services, or processes.
• Advanced experience independently analyzing and interpreting complex data/business processes requiring advanced knowledge of NSE experiments and ontology, knowledge graph, and semantic technologies.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working in a National Laboratory environment or equivalent.
• Graduate degree in computer science, software engineering, computational linguistics, information systems, artificial intelligence, or a related field 
• Significant experience working with library, institutional repository, data management, or other document management systems and applications. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.