Principal Data Architect - Office of the CTO

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions.

About the role

The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) drives computational and technological innovation across the Allen Institute by advancing engineering excellence, developing scalable technology solutions, and enabling scientific discovery. We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Data Architect to lead the organization and curation of the Allen Institute’s extensive, multimodal biological data assets, spanning over 20 years and multiple petabytes of data across neuroscience, cell science, immunology, and more.

This role operates as the primary owner of data governance, stewardship, and metadata practices across the Institute, developing and establishing standards, driving adoption, and advancing a centralized approach to data cataloging and lifecycle management. Working across scientific programs and technology teams, the Principal Data Architect will improve data discoverability and responsible data use, ensuring alignment with institutional and regulatory standards. Through this work, the role will help shape a sustainable data ecosystem that supports open science while balancing governance, security, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement Institute-wide data and metadata standards to improve data discoverability, usability, and consistency across scientific and technology teams, influencing technical direction and decision-making across domains.
• Own and advance the Institute’s data governance and stewardship program, including data cataloging and lifecycle management practices, operating with a high degree of autonomy as a recognized subject matter expert.
• Develop guidance and best practices for data ETL, lifecycle management, including creation, storage, archiving, and retirement of datasets aligned with scientific mission.
• Drive adoption of data governance practices across programs, ensuring alignment and sustained use of standards and tools, with impact measured through uptake and effectiveness.
• Ensure data governance practices align with relevant NIST, HIPAA, and institutional data security standards where applicable. Work with technology, security, and legal teams to help define processes for managing sensitive or restricted datasets and implement appropriate safeguards and compliance practices.
• Lead the development and evolution of a central metadata standard for large-scale, multimodal biological data. Influence decisions related to data storage, infrastructure, and cost optimization, helping balance scientific priorities with resource constraints.
• Serve as a technical and strategic advisor to scientific, engineering, and operational leaders on data management practices, tradeoffs, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead high-impact, cross-functional initiatives to improve data accessibility, reuse, and long-term sustainability across the Institute.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Library Science, Data Management, Computer Science, or a related field; or equivalent combination of degree and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in data governance, data stewardship, or large-scale data management environments.
• Deep expertise in metadata standards, data lifecycle management, and governance frameworks.
• Experience working across complex, multi-stakeholder environments, ideally in scientific or research settings.
• Strong ability to influence without authority and translate complex concepts across diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with scientific datasets, ideally in biology or biomedical research environments, including high resolution microscopy, genomics, physiology, and video.
• Deep knowledge of data governance frameworks and regulatory standards, including NIST and/or HIPAA compliance.
• Understanding of cloud storage environments, data infrastructure, or research computing ecosystems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Information Science, Data Management, or a related field, with over 5 years of experience in large data-intensive environments, ideally in a scientific or academic research setting.
• Advanced skills in developing and applying data valuation frameworks to prioritize data retention and decommissioning, particularly within budget-constrained environments.
• A track record of success aligning data management practices to scientific and technical goals in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Skilled in navigating and influencing at the intersection of technical and scientific teams, with the ability to communicate complex data management principles clearly to diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with information management principles, such as metadata standards (e.g., FAIR data principles) and taxonomy development for data cataloging.
• Experience with archival standards, data preservation techniques, and regulatory frameworks related to scientific data.
• Proven experience using relevant AI technologies to find and work with data (LLMs, vector search, MCPs, agentic search).

Schedule

This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis. Occasional travel to national or international conferences may be required.

Pay

Annualized Salary Range: $167,850 - $209,750. Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• Eligibility to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan.
• Paid time off as outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Work visa sponsorship may be available.

Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link: Benefits Guide.