Solutions Architect

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Solutions Architect at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, based in our Evanston, IL office. The Solutions Architect is responsible for applying broad technical expertise and business acumen to guide technology decision-making and ensure solutions align with organizational goals. The Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and managing the organization's solution portfolio, bridging business needs with technical capabilities while promoting architectural standards, governance, and best practices.

Underwriters Laboratories

At UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement (UL), we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure, and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!

What you'll learn & achieve:

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

• Partner with stakeholders, business owners, and technical SMEs to understand business drivers and capability needs, translating them into effective solution designs.

• Advocate for business partner needs throughout the solution lifecycle to ensure technologies advance ULRI-ULSE's mission and strategic priorities.

• Lead the evaluation and selection of technology platforms, software solutions, and services, designing standard and custom configurations as required.

• Consult on application development, infrastructure design, and system integrations while promoting architecture patterns and best practices.

• Design and evaluate solution architectures that align with enterprise strategy, business capabilities, and established architecture standards.

• Produce architecture deliverables-including solution diagrams, reference models, standards, and documentation-to support governance.

• Ensure solutions meet security, compliance, data protection, and quality requirements, and guide governance of key architecture decisions.

• Define and maintain architecture principles, standards, and patterns, and oversee the portfolio for aging technologies, technical debt, and misalignment, guide remediation strategies.

• Assess emerging technologies, industry innovations, and market developments to inform roadmaps, technology planning, and ULRI-ULSE's broader technology landscape.

• Support technology needs across standards development, publication workflows, member and partner engagement, knowledge management, and research-enabling platforms, including custom applications, integrations, APIs, LIMS/ELN, collaboration tools, and platforms such as Azure, AWS, Salesforce, and M365.

• Lead and/or contribute to other department specific and cross-functional initiatives.

What you'll experience working at UL:

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. Making the world a safer, more secure, and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do.

• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you'll almost always hear, "the people." Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We're able to deliver the best because we employ the best.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers create. We're inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.

• Grow & achieve: We learn, work, and grow together with targeted development, reward, and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.

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

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 designing and implementing complex technical solutions across diverse technologies.

• Demonstrated experience integrating systems, APIs, and data sources to support interoperability and reliable workflows.

• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and modern application architectures.

• Experience with Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, APIdriven design, and modern development frameworks.

• Strategic leader and builder of both vision and bridges, and influence decisionmakers across both technical and nontechnical audiences.

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

• Strong project management capability with experience managing multiple priorities and executing highquality deliverables.

• 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.

• Ability to bring strong practical experience with Azure, AWS, Salesforce, M365, or researchenabling technology platforms.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related discipline.

• Minimum of 8 years of experience as a Solutions Architect or in a similar technical leadership role.

• Experience with custom software development, SaaS/PaaS platforms (M365, Salesforce, Workday), and IaaS platforms (Azure, AWS).

• Certification as an Azure Solutions Architect Expert or AWS Certified Solutions Architect. Additional certifications in M365, Salesforce, Workday, custom application development, or research-technology platforms preferred.

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.

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

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