The Role
Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients.”
Moderna is strengthening its presence in Norwood, Massachusetts, a cornerstone of our manufacturing and operational excellence. Our Norwood campus translates mRNA science into scalable impact, supporting the global delivery of our medicines. We welcome talent ready to drive innovation and make a meaningful difference for patients worldwide.
In this senior-level individual contributor role, you will design, develop, demonstrate, and continuously improve automated laboratory solutions for mammalian cell culture and plate-based bioanalytical assays.
You will translate complex biological and assay requirements into robust, reliable automation systems that integrate multi-vendor instrumentation and modern software architectures.
Partnering across Research, Technical Development, CMC, and Digital, you will deliver fit-for-purpose automation platforms that accelerate Moderna’s mRNA programs across multiple therapeutic areas.
Here’s What You’ll Do
- Design and deliver automated bioanalytical workflows. Lead end-to-end design and implementation of automated mammalian cell culture and bioassay workflows, including automated feeding and passaging, sterile handling steps, assay reagent preparation, plate handling and logistics, timed incubations, and plate read and analysis integration. Translate assay intent and biological constraints (timing, mixing, temperature/CO₂ control, sterility, cell sensitivity) into scalable and robust automation requirements and solutions.
- Develop automation software and controls. Build, maintain, and enhance automation software including scheduling logic, device drivers and interfaces, error handling frameworks, run logging, basic analytics hooks, and test harnesses. Apply modern engineering best practices such as version control, modular library development, structured code reviews, and maintainable architecture patterns. Enable connectivity to digital ecosystems and create foundations that allow future integration of advanced analytics and Generative AI–enabled workflow optimization.
- Instrument integration and systems engineering. Integrate multi-vendor laboratory instruments including liquid handlers, plate readers, imagers, incubators, robotic plate movers, and cytometers. Utilize industry-standard communication protocols such as OPC-UA, REST, TCP/IP, PLC interfaces, and manufacturer SDKs while maintaining strong device abstraction layers and reusable integration modules to ensure extensibility and long-term maintainability.
- Technical project ownership. Own execution of small-to-mid sized technical automation projects, including requirements definition, system architecture design, prototyping, integration testing, FAT/SAT-style validation activities, staged releases to end users, transition to sustainment, and incremental system improvements. Maintain comprehensive technical documentation, artifacts, and reproducible SOPs for scientists and operators.
- Cross-functional collaboration and vendor partnerships. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across Research, Technical Development, CMC, and Digital to align automation solutions with evolving scientific and manufacturing needs. Engage external vendors to define requirements, perform system integrations, and maintain instrument uptime. Manage vendor relationships as needed to ensure successful integration, serviceability, and long-term performance.
- Sustainment and reliability. Support deployed automation systems through structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across mechanical systems, liquid handling performance, and software layers. Implement corrective and preventive actions that reduce downtime and improve reliability in high-throughput laboratory environments.
- Safety and sterility practices. Ensure sterile technique considerations are embedded in system design, workflows, and documentation. Apply contamination control strategies appropriate for automated mammalian cell culture environments, safeguarding cell health, assay integrity, and reproducibility.
- Mentorship and technical leadership. Serve as a subject matter expert in laboratory automation, mentoring junior engineers and scientists, elevating engineering rigor, and fostering a culture of scalable, platform-driven solutions.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.
We act with dynamic range, driving strategy and execution at the same time at every step.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
- BS/BA in Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience
- Proven experience developing and integrating laboratory instruments (liquid handlers, plate readers/imagers, incubators, robotic plate movers, imaging/cytometry).
- Proficiency in a modern scripting or compiled language commonly used in lab automation and experience building robust, maintainable automation code.
- Strong troubleshooting skills: can isolate failure modes across mechanical, liquid handling, and software layers, identify root causes, drive implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
- Mammalian cell culture experience (sterile technique considerations, contamination control, incubation/handling constraints, viability impacts).
- Clear, adaptive communicator who can convey complex technical topics to both expert and non‑expert audiences.
- 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)
- MS/PhD in Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline.
- Direct automation experience with common cell-based bioassays (ELISA, potency assays, reporter assays), plate-based sample workflows, and high-throughput screening style approaches.
- Familiarity with lab informatics and data/traceability systems (LIMS, run metadata patterns, barcode/sample ID strategies).
- Experience with Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman or similar liquid handling platforms and vendor ecosystems.
- Exposure to systems engineering principles and robotics frameworks (ROS-Industrial, PLC communication strategies).
- Direct experience with nucleic acids (mRNA) and delivery chemistry (LNP) or related biological products in the Pharmaceutical industry
- Knowledge of design control principles appropriate to early and late stages of development (design controls, GxP, GMP, etc), and experience preparing technical documentation for Quality review.
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 $121,600.00 - $194,500.00. 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.
