Senior IT Technical Specialist

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior IT Technical Specialist at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement based in our Evanston, IL office.

The Senior IT Technical Specialist provides onsite technical support to employees of UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), as well as ongoing maintenance of IT equipment. This includes workstations, network infrastructure, IT communication systems, audio/visual technologies, and cloud-based systems. The role collaborates closely with the IT leadership team to deliver day-to-day support, implement IT initiatives, and ensure the reliable operation of the organization's IT environment.

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 tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Senior IT Technical Specialist, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Collaborate closely with IT Operations, IT Infrastructure, and Service Management teams to ensure IT services are delivered on time and meet quality standards.

• Diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues in accordance with corporate IT standards and ITIL best practices.

• Serve as the primary liaison with vendors to coordinate hardware repairs or replacements, manage software updates, and support help desk operations for both internal and remote users.

• Administer and manage user, group, and endpoint accounts.

• Provide onsite and remote support to scientific laboratories, assisting with the integration of analytical and measurement instrumentation with data management systems; recommend new equipment and software solutions as required for project and data needs.

• Deliver technical support for workstations, servers, storage systems, and network infrastructure.

• Partner with the IT Infrastructure team to monitor network performance and proactively identify and resolve potential issues.

• Maintain and update documentation and knowledge bases related to standard operating procedures and hardware configurations.

• Collaborate with executives and PhD-level scientists on special project teams.

• Participate in an on-call rotation and provide after-hours technical support as needed.

• Perform 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.

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

What makes you a great fit:

• Advanced experience managing users, licenses, and security policies.

• Demonstrated proficiency in mobile device management (MDM) and endpoint management using MS InTune.

• Proficiency in managing user accounts, groups, permissions, and security policies using Active Directory or EntraID.

• Advanced experience with Windows, macOS administration.

• Understanding of LAN/WAN, VPNs, and network troubleshooting.

• Familiarity with platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.

• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, threat detection, and incident response.

• Advanced ability troubleshooting hardware, software, and peripheral devices.

• Ability to write scripts (PowerShell, Python, Bash) to automate IT processes.

• Familiarity with ticketing systems like ServiceNow.

• Demonstrated proficiency with enterprise-level collaboration tools and productivity software.

• Ability to support AV systems and digital signage solutions.

• Ability to analyze, diagnose, and resolve complex technical issues while identifying underlying causes to prevent recurrence.

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of computer systems including network infrastructure, servers, and workstation administration.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a complex technical environment.

• Demonstrated high level organizational and multi-tasking skills.

• Ability to work with executives, and PhD level scientists and participate on special project teams.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role.

• Knowledge of PowerShell or scripting languages is a plus.

• Experience with ITIL frameworks or certifications (e.g., ITIL Foundation) is a plus.

• Certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+, or Microsoft certifications (MCSA, Azure Fundamentals, MS-102, MD-102) is also a plus.

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.