Find & Apply For Computer Systems Engineer / Architect Jobs in Evanston, Illinois

at Northwestern University in

Evanston, Illinois, United States Job Description Job Opening Id:

54387

Department:

IT Cyber Collaboration Svcs Salary/Grade:

ITS/83

Job Summary:

We are seeking a senior-level engineer to shape Northwestern's strategy, architecture, and governance for AI services within the campus collaboration suite, with a primary focus on Microsoft 365 Copilot and related AI capabilities. While Microsoft 365 will be the central area of responsibility, the role will also evolve to provide architectural guidance, governance, and strategic direction for AI capabilities across other campus collaboration platforms as institutional needs mature, while ensuring strong security, privacy, and compliance across the environment. In this role, the successful candidate will serve as a senior technical lead and individual contributor, guiding the secure adoption of AI-powered capabilities—including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, agents, connectors, and other AI services that are part of or integrate directly with the M365 tenant—in support of Northwestern's academic and research mission. While the initial emphasis will be on Microsoft 365, the role is also expected to help shape architectural patterns and governance approaches that can inform institutional use of AI across other campus collaboration platforms over time. This individual will define the roadmap, architecture, and operating standards for integrating AI capabilities across the M365 tenant and will work closely with the team responsible for day-to-day tenant administration and Level 3 support. In parallel, the role will help establish governance models and architectural guidance that may be extended, where appropriate, to other institutionally supported AI-enabled collaboration platforms. This position does not have direct reports, but it requires strong leadership through influence—guiding standards, architectural decisions, governance practices, and adoption models across the institution. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in M365 cloud services, identity, security, and compliance, along with the strategic ability to develop governance models, rollout strategies, and architectural standards for emerging AI technologies in a research-focused, mission-driven environment.

Specific Responsibilities :

Microsoft 365

Copilot & AI Strategy and Governance:

Develop and maintain a multi-year strategy and roadmap for adopting Microsoft 365 Copilot and related AI capabilities across the institution. Define organizational goals, success metrics, and phased rollout plans in coordination with the IT@NU community, while informing broader institutional standards for AI-enabled collaboration services beyond M365 as appropriate. Advance and formalize governance practices for responsible AI use, licensing allocation, and adoption monitoring. Provide architectural and governance oversight for enterprise AI services, including agent intake and approval, publishing standards, lifecycle management, and usage reporting, with Microsoft 365 as the primary platform and with governance patterns that can inform other institutionally supported collaboration environments as needed. Monito To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account