Sr. Automation Engineer

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 role, you will operate at the intersection of automation engineering and bioassay development, transforming early-stage automation into robust, scalable, GMP-ready systems that enable high-throughput, reliable bioassay execution.
As a Senior Engineer I, you will lead the technical execution of automation solutions that preserve biological integrity while meeting stringent regulatory, data integrity, and operational requirements.
Working as an individual contributor in a 100% onsite environment in Norwood, you will collaborate cross-functionally while leveraging advanced digital tools and Generative AI to optimize automation performance, enhance traceability, and drive scalable assay workflows.

Here's What You'll Do:

• Lead the development and hardening of automated bioassay workflows, transforming early-stage prototypes into robust, scalable, GMP-ready systems
• Collaborate with scientists to translate cell-based bioassays and sample preparation workflows into automation solutions, accounting for biological constraints such as cell health, sterility, and timing sensitivity
• Design and implement automation strategies for cell handling workflows (e.g., maintenance, passaging, transfection, assay execution) to ensure reproducibility and assay integrity at scale
• Own technical execution across projects, including requirements definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment
• Partner cross-functionally with Analytical Development, Applied Technologies, Analytical Sciences & Technology, Digital, and QC Operations to enable successful transfer and deployment of systems into regulated environments
• Develop automation solutions that meet GMP expectations, including data integrity, traceability, and audit readiness
• Troubleshoot complex issues across biological performance, liquid handling, and system integration layers, including investigation of assay variability and automation-induced bias
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement of automation platforms and workflows to support scalability across programs

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 urgency;
Action today compounds the lives saved tomorrow."

Here's What You'll Bring to the Table (Basic Qualifications)

• BS with 8 years of relevant experience, MS with 5 years of relevant experience or PhD in Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience supporting or working with cell-based bioassays or sample preparation workflows.
• Experience working in or supporting regulated laboratory environments. (GLP/GMP)
• Experience programming and developing with laboratory automation software/hardware and liquid handlers.
• 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 supporting or deploying automation systems into GMP or regulated environments, including:
  • Validation support (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Change control and lifecycle management
  • Documentation aligned with regulatory expectations
• Experience developing and supporting automation for:
  • Mammalian cell culture workflows (maintenance, passaging, expansion)
  • Transfection or cell treatment processes
  • Plate-based bioassay sample preparation workflows (e.g. ELISA)
• Experience with 3rd party automation hardware such as cobot arms, decappers, centrifuges, dispensers, sealers/peelers, etc.
• Direct experience configuring and optimizing Hamilton STAR/Vantage automated liquid handling…