Staff Data Ontologist (Ontology and Database Schema Design Expertise)

Who We Are

At WillowTree AI, we are at the forefront of technological innovation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with data and information management. We are looking for a visionary Senior/Staff Level Data Ontologist to join our dynamic team. If you have a passion for formal ontology or database schema design, particularly in graph-based databases, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior/Staff Data Ontologist with a deep understanding of formal ontology or substantial experience in database schema design, preferably with graph-based databases. The ideal candidate will apply their knowledge to design and develop robust, scalable data models that support our cutting-edge applications and services

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize complex data models and schemas for various applications.
• Apply formal ontology principles to organize and structure complex information in meaningful ways.
• Develop, implement, and maintain graph-based database solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand their data needs and translate them into effective schema designs.
• Ensure data integrity, consistency, and quality across all systems.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in database schema design and formal ontology.
• Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues with a high degree of technical proficiency.
• Mentor junior developers and provide guidance on best practices and technical solutions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our development processes and methodologies.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Proven experience as a Senior or Staff-level Developer with a focus on database schema design.
• Expertise in formal ontology or strong experience with graph-based databases such as Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, or similar.
• Proficiency in database technologies and query languages (SQL, SPARQL, Cypher, etc.).
• Strong understanding of data modeling standards and best practices.
• Experience in designing and managing scalable, high-performance databases.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and effectively.
• Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies such as Agile or Scrum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience with cloud-based data solutions (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Experience with semantic web technologies and RDF.
• Familiarity with machine learning and data analytics frameworks.

Why WillowTree?

We offer a place to be yourself.

Our differences, both visible and invisible, benefit our teams, our communities, and the products we craft. That’s why WillowTree strives to build a team with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. You’ll work hard here; however, we’ll balance that with a culture that supports your growth and cares about your well-being. We’re committed to creating an environment of inclusion — a place where every Tree can thrive.

We want you to reach your fullest potential and part of your professional development at WillowTree will include dedicated time to innovate on passion projects and an annual stipend to fund your professional pursuits.

WillowTree upholds our core values in every aspect of our work. We promote safe and inclusive work environments and maintain a drug-free workplace. We celebrate our differences and provide equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Diverse teams build better products. We acknowledge that the tech industry especially lacks opportunity for those who are of non-traditional backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. In order to create the best products for everyone, we know that it's important for our team to reflect the diversity of our users, and we are committed to being the change we want to see.