Data Architect

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Architect at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, based in our Evanston, Illinois office.

The Data Architect designs and manages a data management framework for UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE). This role ensures secure handling of research data, drives best practices, and enhances data governance, accessibility, and utilization. Additionally, the Data Architect leverages AI and emerging technologies to support research advancements and operational excellence.

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk, created new safety standards and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Data Architect, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data management strategy tailored to ULRI and ULSE.

• Design and implement scalable data architectures, including data lakes, data warehouses, and real-time analytics systems.

• Standardize data governance, storage, and accessibility to enhance research efficiency and operational excellence.

• Collaborate with researchers, data scientists, engineers, and IT teams to align data strategies with business and research objectives.

• Establish and enforce data governance policies, ensuring compliance with security and privacy regulations.

• Implement robust data security measures, including encryption, access controls, and monitoring.

• Identify and integrate modern data platforms, tools, and AI-driven solutions to optimize data processing and retrieval.

• Define and track key data performance metrics, driving adoption of best practices in metadata management and data lineage.

• Lead data-driven initiatives, advocating for structured data management and fostering collaboration across teams.

• Stay ahead of emerging trends in data science, AI, and regulatory requirements to ensure continuous innovation.

• Performs other duties as directed.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement: We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are eligible for bonus compensation based on the level of the position. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Proven experience as a Data Architect or similar role, with a track record of designing and implementing effective technical solutions across a range of platforms and technologies.

• Demonstrated experience in integrating diverse systems, APIs, and data sources, ensuring data consistency and smooth workflows across platforms.

• Strong knowledge of cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

• Excellent communication skills, and ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong leadership and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver on-time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

• Strong vendor management skills, with the ability to manage relationships with multiple vendors.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly identify and resolve complex technical issues.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in data management, data governance, or data strategy, preferably in a research or scientific environment.

• Experience in managing experimental, simulation, and research-generated data.

• Experience in scientific computing, high-performance computing (HPC), or AI/ML-driven research.

• Background working with regulated or standards-driven data environments.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our affiliate, UL Solutions, stands alongside us in working for a safer and more sustainable world. UL Solutions conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools, for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.

Salary Range:

Pay Type: