About the role:
As a Senior Knowledge Graph & Ontology Architect, you will make an impact by designing and governing enterprise semantic architectures that enable trusted, scalable, and AI-ready knowledge systems. You will be a valued member of our Data & AI team and work collaboratively with data architects, engineers, data domain experts, AI specialists, and client stakeholders to establish the semantic foundation that powers enterprise knowledge graphs, search, analytics, and agentic AI solutions.
In this role, you will:
- Design and govern enterprise ontologies, semantic models, and knowledge graph architectures, including OWL/RDF ontologies, classes, properties, taxonomy structures, and SHACL validation frameworks.
- Lead the development of business domain models and governed vocabularies across key entities, ensuring consistency, traceability, and alignment with business objectives.
- Define and maintain enterprise business glossaries, KPI registries, semantic standards, and governance processes, including ownership models and change management workflows.
- Architect graph-based knowledge platforms using technologies such as Spanner Graph, Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB, Dataplex, BigQuery, and Vector Search.
- Partner with engineering, AI, and platform teams to establish governance controls, security standards, lineage frameworks, and AI architecture guardrails that ensure trustworthy and scalable solutions.
Work model:
We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
What you need to have to be considered:
- 8+ years of experience in data architecture, knowledge graph architecture, ontology engineering, or related disciplines, including significant experience leading ontology and semantic model design initiatives.
- Hands-on expertise with OWL/RDF ontology development, semantic modeling, taxonomy management, and SHACL constraint authoring or equivalent ontology frameworks.
- Experience architecting graph-based knowledge systems using platforms such as Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, TigerGraph, GraphDB, Stardog, Apache Jena, Spanner Graph, or similar technologies.
- Strong proficiency in Python and SQL, with working knowledge of Google Cloud Platform services including BigQuery, Dataplex, and Vector Search.
- Experience establishing data governance frameworks, including business glossaries, KPI definitions, lineage standards, access controls, and metadata governance.
- Proven ability to collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to resolve complex data modeling challenges and drive enterprise architecture decisions.
These will help you stand out:
- Direct experience with Spanner Graph, Graph Query Language (GQL), or advanced property graph implementations.
- Experience designing knowledge architectures that support agentic AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or Vertex AI/Gemini solutions.
- Telecommunications industry experience, including familiarity with OSS/BSS environments and TM Forum frameworks such as SID and eTOM.
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, Professional Cloud Architect, or equivalent cloud certifications.
- Experience leading enterprise-scale semantic transformation initiatives across complex, multi-source data ecosystems.
We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.
Salary and Other Compensation:
Applications will be accepted until November 29, 2026
The annual salary for this position is between $ 115,000 - $ 130,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
401(k) plan and contributions
Long-term/Short-term Disability
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Things to know before you apply
- Work authorization: Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
- Accommodations: If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
- AI in hiring: We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help us screen and assess applications more efficiently. Our team performs additional human review and ultimately decides who moves forward in our hiring process.
- Open position: Unless otherwise stated, this job posting is for an open position on our team.
- Language proficiency: We ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.
- Inclusion: Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
