Director, Technical Development Operations

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.

We are seeking an execution-driven, scientifically-grounded leader to establish and operationalize Moderna’s 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 Moderna’s digital and automation landscape—including exposure to Generative AI-enabled lab systems—helping shape the future of data-rich decision-making in bioprocessing.

Here’s What You’ll 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 you’ll need to succeed in the role:

• We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.
  This role requires proactive ownership—not only of bioassay execution but also the vision and build-out of an entirely new centralized system. You’ll 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, you’ll 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.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

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

• Experience: 15 years of relevant experience with Bachelor’s degree or 10 years of relevant experience with a PhD.

Here’s What You’ll 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 Moderna’s 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.  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 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 [email protected]. 

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.

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