Principal Data Architect - Office CTO

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. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

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. Through strategic partnerships and technical leadership, OCTO accelerates research, enhances operational efficiency, and fosters collaboration in support of the Institute's mission.

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.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone - and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

• 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

* Note:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform…