Director of Engineering, Materials Discovery Research Institute

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Engineering - Materials Discovery Research Institute at UL Research Institutes, based in our Skokie, Illinois, office.

The Director of Engineering will establish and lead the engineering division at the Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI), developing the infrastructure and expertise necessary to accelerate materials discovery and technology development. In close collaboration with the Director of Research, this individual will help address global challenges in sustainability and safety applications. This role will focus on building a cutting-edge rapid prototyping infrastructure, working with both internal teams and external partners to translate scientific discoveries into functional prototypes. The Director of Engineering will also contribute to the development and deployment of techno-economic analysis tools, ensuring that engineering solutions align with research-driven insights while fostering a high-performing team culture and positioning MDRI as a leader in engineering-driven research for safer and healthier environments.

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), 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 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.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Materials Discovery Research Institute teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Materials Discovery Research Institute:

The Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) works to develop and deploy new materials with the potential to address current global safety challenges. Pursuing materials that will help produce transformational safety breakthroughs, MDRI harnesses the power of advanced computing and high-throughput experimental methods to create innovative materials that will produce resilience for a sustainable future and protect individual and societal health.

We focus on today's critical challenges, working to create new and better materials that will support renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Among our top priorities is research into materials capable of carbon capture and energy storage, with an eye toward reducing the adverse impacts of humanity's reliance upon fossil fuel resources and enabling a transition to renewable energy sources.

Above all, our research builds on our commitment to a safer, more sustainable future.

What you'll learn and achieve:

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

• Establish state-of-the-art engineering and technical capabilities within MDRI to enable impactful contributions to research in novel materials for carbon capture, water harvesting, and other sustainability technologies.

• Develop and implement engineering strategies to support advanced materials research in adsorption and related applications aligned with MDRI's mission to advance global sustainability and safety.

• Lead the engineering team in the design, development, and integration of experimental systems and equipment necessary to advance MDRI's research objectives.

• Lead the development and ownership of techno-economic analysis tools, supporting research teams in evaluating process feasibility and scalability.

• Hire, mentor, and lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, collaborating with scientists and technical leaders across MDRI to deliver high-impact research outcomes.

• Manage the daily operations of engineering projects and laboratory infrastructure, ensuring that MDRI has the technical capacity and systems to meet evolving research and development needs.

• Partner with academia, industry, and government agencies to support collaborative initiatives and technical partnerships to amplify MDRI's research and engineering outcomes.

• Lead the development and execution of budgets for engineering initiatives, laboratory equipment, capital projects, and operational needs.

• Serve as a technical expert and advocate for engineering initiatives within MDRI, representing the team across internal and external stakeholder groups.

• Champion MDRI's mission and engineering achievements by participating in technical panels, speaking engagements, industry events, and thought leadership opportunities.

• Collaborate with MDRI leadership, finance, human resources, and other key functions to support strategic planning, budget alignment, and resource prioritization to advance short- and long-term objectives.

• Engage in and contribute to MDRI-specific and cross-functional projects and initiatives that enhance organizational performance and impact.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes:

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 are eligible for bonus compensation. 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:

• Expert knowledge in engineering system design, process engineering, and the development of laboratory and pilot-scale systems related to advanced materials research and adsorption technologies.

• Demonstrated success in leading engineering efforts supporting research programs, including the delivery of technical presentations and contributions to research publications.

• Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to inspire high performance and innovation within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges, optimize processes, and deliver engineering solutions in collaboration with scientists and stakeholders.

• Strong influencing and collaboration abilities to align with diverse internal and external partners in a matrixed organization.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strategic and operational mindset with a focus on project execution, attention to detail, and continuous improvement.

• High degree of intellectual curiosity and a passion for advancing MDRI's mission to develop technologies that contribute to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience in a research, development, or technology organization, with a strong background in sustainability or advanced materials applications preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing engineering teams, developing strategy, and delivering impactful technical projects.

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: