Director, Technical Development Operations

The Role

Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team thats revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.

As an employee youll be part of a continually growing organization working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide contributing to global health initiatives.

Modernas 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.

We are seeking an execution-driven scientifically-grounded leader to establish and operationalize Modernas centralized Bioassay Center of Excellence (CoE) a transformative initiative focused on building high-throughput GxP-ready bioassay capabilities across the portfolio. Based onsite at our Norwood MA Technology Center the Director will lead daily bioassay operations while driving the design implementation and scale-up of a fully automated centralized facility. The role demands a strategic systems thinker who can convert complex assay science into scalable operations that power product characterization release and stability testing. This is a deeply cross-functional position interfacing across Analytical Development QC Automation Engineering Quality and external partners to ensure robust and compliant execution. It also offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with Modernas digital and automation landscapeincluding exposure to Generative AI-enabled lab systemshelping shape the future of data-rich decision-making in bioprocessing.

Heres What Youll Do

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Build lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary bioassay operations team including scientists automation technologists analysts and supervisors.

• Oversee execution of critical assay types such as IVRPE IVRPA and REDA supporting stability release and characterization.

• Define and own key operational metrics (e.g. throughput TAT % automation coverage assay reproducibility cost per result) and drive continuous improvement.

• Implement and govern GxP-ready infrastructure across SOPs ELN templates LIMS integration barcoding and sample chain-of-custody workflows.

• Execute workforce planning recruiting and training strategies aligned to the scale and complexity of automated operations.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Serve as bioassay and operations lead in the design build and launch of the centralized Bioassay CoE including facility input equipment selection FAT/SAT planning validation and Go-Live.

• Lead cross-functional integration with Quality Facilities Automation Engineering Analytical Development IT Supply Chain and EHS to ensure scope alignment risk mitigation and on-time delivery.

• Develop and implement the operating model that supports flexible deployment of GMP and non-GMP testing within shared lab space.

• Collaborate with automation and digital teams to embed next-generation tools including opportunities to incorporate Generative AI capabilities for smarter lab operations and enhanced data analytics.

The key Moderna Mindsets youll need to succeed in the role:

• We behave like owners. The solutions were building go beyond any job description.
  This role requires proactive ownershipnot only of bioassay execution but also the vision and build-out of an entirely new centralized system. Youll be empowered to lead across functions and design future-state operations that redefine how Moderna tests validates and advances our products.

• We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.
  As you drive the integration of ELNs LIMS automation systems and lab data pipelines youll help transform how Moderna operationalizes data. With a focus on automation and the potential to embed Generative AI you will be building a lab environment that accelerates insights improves reproducibility and scales globally.

Heres What Youll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Education: Degree in Life Sciences Chemistry Engineering Pharmaceutical Sciences or related technical discipline

• Experience: 15 years of relevant experience with Bachelors degree or 10 years of relevant experience with a PhD.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• PhD in a relevant field is preferred.

• Substantial hands-on experience leading bioassay operations bioanalytical laboratories supporting cell-based or biological assays or centralized CoE / high-throughput bioassay facilities.

• Strong people leadership experience both direct management and matrixed across scientists automation engineers and operations staff.

• Experience in delivering complex capital automation projects in a regulated environment (capital project ownership equipment selection vendor management FAT/SAT IQ/OQ/PQ).

• Familiarity with automated liquid handling plate readers imaging systems (Incucyte/Vi-CELL or equivalents) LIMS/MES integrations and assay data pipelines.

• Working knowledge of GxP GMP/GCLP and regulatory expectations for assay validation and laboratory compliance.

• Experience with cell culture automation cell banking best practices and process controls to minimize biological drift (passage control viability gating and automated quarantine workflows).

• Experience partnering with Quality QC Analytical Development and Regulatory to deploy validated assays for program decision-making and filing.

• Strong track record of cross-functional influence stakeholder management and delivering operational metrics improvements (throughput cost quality).

• This position is site-based requiring you to be at Modernas site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna we believe that when you feel your best you can do your best work. Thats why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support youat 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 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 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 persons 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 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

Were 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 .

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 applicants 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.

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