Solution Architect - Digital Thread (Ontology)

PeopleTec is currently seeking a Solution Architect - Digital Thread (Ontology) to support our Huntsville, AL location.

PeopleTec is hiring an Ontology Architect to design and govern the ontology ecosystem that anchors the digital thread for our Digital Test Environment. This role owns the linked-data foundation, the ontologies, triplestore, and validation logic that makes the digital thread an Authoritative Source of Truth across mission, system, and test layers.

Responsibilities:

Design, build, and govern the ontology stack (top-level, mid-level, and domain ontologies) in OWL, extending Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) and the Common Core Ontologies (CCO).
• Define the linked-data architecture: triplestore repository structure (e.g., Stardog or GraphDB), IRI/namespace conventions, ontology versioning, and import/dependency management.
• Establish the alignment between SysML model elements and ontology classes via stereotypes, tags, and metadata, supporting the Mission and System of Analysis (MSoA) and Assessment Flow Diagram (AFD) patterns.
• Build the Semantic System Verification Layer (SSVL): Open World (OWL/DL) reasoning, Closed World (SHACL) validation, and graph-based well-formedness checks.
• Author SPARQL queries and reasoning rules that drive Decision dashboards, Digital Thread Impact Analysis, and tradespace visualization.
• Define ontology governance - modeling conventions, vetting, reuse principles, and onboarding guidance for engineering teams.
• Partner with the Integration Architect and tool proxy developers to ensure ontology-aligned data exchange across MBSE, CAD/PLM, simulation, and test tools.

Required Skills/Experience:

• 7+ years in systems engineering, knowledge representation, or digital engineering, with demonstrated ontology development on complex engineered systems.
• Hands-on expertise with OWL, RDF/RDFS, SPARQL, SHACL, and ontology editing in Protege.
• Working knowledge of BFO and CCO (or equivalent top-level/mid-level ontology stacks).
• Experience with at least one triplestore (Stardog, GraphDB, Fuseki, or similar) and OWL reasoners.
• Working knowledge of MBSE in MagicDraw/Cameo and SysML, sufficient to align model elements with ontology classes.
• Programming proficiency in Python (preferred) for ontology tooling, SPARQL automation, and validation pipelines.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• An active DoD Secret clearance is required to perform this work. Candidates are required to have an active Secret clearance upon hire (or the able to obtain), and the ability to maintain this level of clearance during their employment.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Science, Philosophy/Logic, or similar).

Desired Skills:

• Direct experience with IoIF, DEFII, or comparable semantic data broker implementations.
• Active U.S. DoD SECRET, TOP SECRET, or TS/SCI clearance.
• Familiarity with openCAESAR and the Ontological Modeling Language (OML).
• Familiarity with SysML v2 and its API/services.
• Familiarity with DoDI 5000.97, the DoD Digital Engineering Strategy, and ITAR/EAR.
• Ontology governance experience (OBO Foundry-style practices, FAIR data).
• Advanced degree in a related STEM field.

People First. Technology Always.

PeopleTec, Inc. is an employee-owned small business founded in Huntsville, AL that provides exceptional customer support by employing and retaining a highly skilled workforce.

Culture: The name "PeopleTec" was deliberately chosen to remind us of our core value system - our people. Our company's foundation was built on placing our employees and customers first. With an award-winning atmosphere, we have matured into a company that boasts the best and brightest across multiple technical fields.

Career: At PeopleTec, we value your long-term goals. Whether it's through our continuing-education opportunities, our robust training programs, or our "People First" benefits package, PeopleTec truly believes that our best investments are our people.

Come Experience It.

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EEO Statement

PeopleTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in its job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the following email address, applicationhelp@peopletec.com and/or phone number (256.319.3800) to contact us about your interest in employment with PeopleTec, Inc.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, citizenship, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. PeopleTec, Inc. participates in E-Verify.