The Role
Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.
As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.
Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.
Moderna is solidifying its footprint in Norwood, Massachusetts — a cornerstone of our manufacturing operations. This site plays a critical role in our end-to-end drug product supply, from component preparation to aseptic filling and packaging. At Norwood, you’ll be immersed in a high-energy environment of innovation, working hands-on to deliver our mRNA medicines to the world.
This highly visible leadership role will oversee Moderna’s Drug Product Technical Operations Specialists team at the Norwood site, ensuring manufacturing readiness and operational excellence across the full drug product lifecycle — from component preparation to packaging. As Director, you’ll lead all aspects of new product introductions, eBR/MES governance, SOP and deviation quality systems, inspection readiness, and innovative AI/GPT-driven operational efficiency initiatives. This is a hands-on leadership role embedded in daily operations, requiring technical acumen, strategic foresight, and the ability to build a high-performing team.
Here's What You’ll Do
Your key responsibilities will be:
- Build, lead, and coach a high-performing Technical Operations Specialists team with a strong focus on culture, performance, inclusion, and succession.
- Ensure day-to-day manufacturing support with real-time coaching on cGMP, safety, and technical execution.
- Lead all operational readiness activities for new product introductions and tech transfers, including process recipes, master data, components, and sampling plans.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (MS&T, QA, Engineering, Supply Chain) to align on validation readiness, process design, and launch timelines.
- Own and govern all aspects of eBR/MES systems, including master batch records, recipes, change management, data integrity, and error reduction.
Your Responsibilities Will Also Include
- Drive and oversee the responsible development and use of GPT/AI-based tools and automations to reduce cycle time and human error, such as documentation assistants, line setup guides, and KPI dashboards.
- Sponsor the governance, validation, and risk management frameworks required for AI/GPT adoption; track ROI and user adoption.
- Maintain best-in-class standards in deviations, change controls, risk assessments, sampling plans, and CAPA closure with high technical quality.
- Ensure inspection readiness through strong evidence packs, storyboards, and team SME preparedness; participate in mock audits and close gaps proactively.
- Align all operational controls and documentation with evolving regulatory requirements to mitigate quality events.
- Lead KPI reviews and performance monitoring (SQDCP), tiered governance, and root cause resolution of systemic constraints.
- Act as an operations excellence catalyst—driving Lean/Six Sigma, 5S, kaizen workshops, standard work, and digital analytics scaling across teams.
- Provide flexible coverage, including 24/7 on-call support as needed to troubleshoot issues, resolve unclear instructions, or mitigate production risks.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- We behave like owners. This role directly influences batch delivery, inspection readiness, and launch success — requiring an ownership mindset to lead across boundaries and elevate standards daily.
- We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients. You will champion the integration of Generative AI and digital tools into GMP operations, pioneering novel ways to reduce complexity, eliminate manual steps, and boost operational excellence.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
- Education: Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Life Sciences
- Experience: 10-12 years in cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing, with direct, hands-on experience in:
- Component preparation and formulation
- Aseptic filling operations using isolators and decontamination
- Media fills and product transfers
- Filling line operations (e.g., Optima)
- Specific Certifications or Training: Strong understanding of regulatory expectations for inspection, labeling, and packaging (FDA, EMA, etc.).
- This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications):
- Experience leading or supporting tech transfers, process improvements, and equipment start-ups in a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with MES systems, batch record execution, and deviation/CAPA processes.
- Proven ability to supervise and coach staff, troubleshoot in real time, and drive operational results.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to interact effectively across functions and levels.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Knowledgeable in media fills, aseptic filling, isolators, Optima lines, and VHP decontamination processes.
Pay & Benefits
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
- Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
- A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
- Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future
- Location-specific perks and extras
The salary range for this role is $130,800.00 - $209,400.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.
About Moderna
Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.
By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.
We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.
Our Working Model
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.
Equal Opportunities
Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!
Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Accommodations
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.
Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
Export Control Notice
This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license.
