Data Architect

Job Description:

• The Strategic Architect is a service-oriented, forward-thinking team leader who is responsible for designing scalable, innovative, cloud-based solutions, specifically within the Informatics and Predictive Sciences (IPS) department
• This pivotal role requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership to support LLM-based solutions that drive scientific advancements in drug discovery and development.
• The Strategic Architect works closely with subject matter experts, Product Managers, and IT teams to ensure that architectures align with business objectives, scientific needs, and technical best practices.
• Drive key architectural decision-making via workshops and brainstorming sessions and document outcomes via solution architecture diagrams
• Develop strategic architectural roadmap and guidelines for engineers and developers to adopt
• Own the early robust build phase of successful prototypes and lead the transition to iterative development and maintenance
• Solve complex architectural problems to solve for end user requirements and use cases
• Navigate and collaborate with multiple IT organizations to gain alignment and clear a path for engineers and developers to proceed with solution build
• Collaborate with IT Leadership to translate product vision into technical architecture design and feature implementation roadmap.
• Explore and pilot new LLM technologies to assess their potential integration into existing architecture.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging LLM and AI models and capabilities and drive experimentation in service to use cases
• Perform risk assessments on new or existing cloud architectures to identify cost, scalability, or any other infrastructure management concerns.
• Propose opportunities for enhanced operational support of new or existing infrastructure through cloud-native monitoring and testing suites.
• Create rapid prototypes to validate technical architecture design feasibility.
• Engage directly with development teams to provide guidance on appropriate selection of programming languages, LLM evaluation frameworks, testing methodologies, and system scalability strategies.
• Map use cases to leverage existing capabilities and define solutions for new capabilities.
• Pick appropriate technologies for new solutions and ensure integration with enterprise infrastructure.
• Merge technical infrastructure where needed, defining consistent back-end and front-end technologies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD with a technology focus (IT, Computer Science, or a related field) or a scientific focus (Biology, Chemistry, or a related field) with at least 10 years of programming and architecture experience.
• Combined 10+ years experience with AWS and/or LIMS platform management (Dotmatics, Benchling, Genedata)
• (Preferred) Some experience in a strategic architecture role working with LLM capabilities including OpenAI models, Claude, Gemini, LLaMa or similar
• Excellent communication skills: Demonstrated experience interacting with technical product designers to gather solution architecture requirements, and ability to perform designated tasks in a timely manner.
• Proven track record of successfully managing technical projects and leading cross-functional teams.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced research environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly motivated self-starter.
• Experience with core AWS serverless application development using Lambda, SQS, Redshift, DynamoDB, and RDS.
• AWS cloud services expertise needed, with the ability to quickly learn and incorporate new AWS technologies into solutions.
• Experience building or enhancing a laboratory informatics system (LIMS) specifically in a research or drug development context
• Proficient with Python, SQL, R, database design, and at least one front end development framework (React, Angular, or similar)
• Previous exposure to large-scale scientific systems design and integration patterns, including mapping use cases to best practice architectural and integration patterns
• Ability to deliver performance evaluations, benchmarking, and troubleshooting of AI or LLM-based applications
• Experience building or maintaining cloud-native applications.
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker/ECS), Agile methodologies, and cloud-native development patterns.
• Ability to explore and pilot new technologies, including LLM technologies.

Benefits:

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance : Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first enrollment date that is at least 30 days after employment begins. Enrollment dates are each January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

Technical Certification Bonus: Synectics is pleased to award its employees a bonus of up to $500 for an approved professional certification. In determining the bonus amount, Synectics will consider the cost of the test(s) for any certification relating to your current position, achieved during your employment with us. Only one Certification Bonus per calendar year may be awarded per employee. Only current, active employees will be eligible to receive this bonus. It will be awarded 90 days after the Synectics office has received documentation confirming the successful completion of the certification.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.