Principal Research Engineer - Materials Discovery Research Institute

UL Solutions; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UL Research Institutes (ULRI) in Skokie, Illinois, seeks a Principal Research Engineer to lead advanced materials discovery efforts and to design, develop, and deploy testing equipment that moves concepts from lab to prototype demonstrations with real-world impact.

You will collaborate with researchers and engineers to advance testing capabilities, ensure data integrity, and mentor technical staff while upholding UL safety, security, and sustainability commitments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and advance testing equipment for materials discovery and demonstration scale.
• Lead complex technical programs to deliver safe, high-quality results on time and within budget.
• Define technical strategy, engineering standards, and capability investments for new materials and technologies.
• Build strategic relationships with external partners and technology providers to accelerate innovation.
• Mentor and develop technical staff while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Drive data integrity and scientific rigor through LIMS and data-driven decision-making.
• Represent the institute through publications, presentations, and external professional organizations.
• Apply systems thinking to solve interdisciplinary challenges and ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Research Engineer at UL Research Institutes , Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) based in our Skokie , Illinois , facilities. The Principal Research Engineer role will partner with researchers and engineers to apply advanced scientific and engineering expertise in materials discovery and development. This role focuses on designing, developing, and advancing testing equipment essential to demonstrating the performance, scalability, and real-world impact of novel materials, supporting the transition from laboratory concepts through prototype and demonstration scale to advance global safety and sustainability.

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 team 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:

• Leverage expertise in materials development, testing, and scale-up to design, build, and deploy prototype, pilot-scale, and demonstration systems that advance technologies toward real-world application.
• Lead complex technical programs, delivering safe, high-quality results that meet technical, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Define technical strategy, engineering standards, and capability investments while evaluating emerging technologies and innovative approaches to improve safety, efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Build strategic relationships with external partners and technology providers to strengthen organizational capabilities and accelerate innovation.
• Mentor and develop technical staff while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive data integrity and scientific rigor through effective use of LIMS, data repositories, and data-driven decision‑making tools.
• Expand the institute's visibility and influence through presentations, publications, and participation in external professional organizations.
• Apply sound technical judgment, creativity, and systems thinking to solve complex interdisciplinary challenges.
• Comply with the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and all laboratory safety, physical security, and digital security requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

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 over 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