Associate Director, Quality Control Lab Automation

Moderna • Norwood, MA

10d • $142,500 - $256,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Quality Control Lab Automation Strategy & Digital Integration is responsible for leading the strategy, implementation, and lifecycle management of laboratory automation and digital integration across Moderna’s Quality Control laboratories. This role will define and execute the multi-year roadmap for automation, robotics, integrated laboratory systems, and digital workflows, ensuring solutions are scalable, compliant, and aligned with business priorities and regulatory expectations. The Associate Director will work in a highly collaborative, cross functional environment, partnering closely with QC, Digital/IT, QA, Manufacturing, Analytical Development, AS&T, and Applied Technologies to drive the adoption of innovative automation technologies and connected laboratory solutions. This role will provide strategic direction and governance for automation programs, systems, policies, and standards while ensuring alignment with Moderna’s vision for a highly automated and data enabled laboratory ecosystem. The incumbent will be responsible for driving automation performance, operational efficiency, data integrity, and continuous improvement across the QC network. This includes supporting regulatory inspections, overseeing automation related investigations and quality systems, evaluating emerging technologies, and providing executive level communication of program progress, risks, and business value. Success in this role requires strong expertise in GMP laboratory automation, digital systems integration, strategic leadership, and the ability to influence and align stakeholders across a complex matrix organization.

Requirements

• BS degree with 10+ years, MS degree with 8+ years, or PhD with 5+ years of experience in automation experience in design and implementation.

Nice To Haves

• Significant experience in Quality Control, laboratory automation, analytical operations, digital lab systems, or GMP laboratory transformation.
• Experience implementing robotics, integrated laboratory work-cells, automated sample preparation, or digital method execution in a GMP environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing laboratory automation technologies including liquid handling systems, robotics platforms, automated storage systems, and integrated laboratory workflows.
• Experience developing and executing enterprise level automation strategies and roadmaps.
• Proven success leading complex cross functional programs involving Quality, Digital, Manufacturing, Technical Development, and Regulatory stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate investment opportunities and communicate value realization to senior leadership.
• Exceptional project and portfolio management skills with the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills, including preparation of materials for senior leadership, Steering Committees, and executive governance forums.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and drive alignment across a highly matrixed organization.
• Proven track record of identifying opportunities for innovation and delivering practical automation solutions that improve quality, compliance, efficiency, and business performance.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategic direction, governance, and execution of the QC laboratory automation roadmap across Moderna's QC network.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year automation strategy aligned with QC business priorities, digital transformation objectives, and future laboratory operating models.
• Lead governance and prioritization of the QC automation portfolio, ensuring initiatives are sequenced based on business value, compliance impact, technical readiness, resource capacity, and long-term scalability.
• Lead a portfolio of automation and digital enablement initiatives including liquid handling robotics, automated sample management, laboratory instrumentation integration, autonomous technologies, and digital laboratory workflows.
• Partner with business owners of laboratory systems including Chromeleon, LES, LabVantage LIMS, LabX, MODA, and related platforms to ensure seamless integration of automation technologies within QC operations.
• Establish automation standards, governance processes, and best practices to ensure scalable, compliant, and sustainable implementations across QC laboratories.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for automation projects, including prioritization, resource planning, risk management, stakeholder alignment, and value realization.
• Drive governance forums, executive communications, and strategic reviews including Steering Committee meetings, Quarterly Business Reviews, and senior leadership updates.
• Ensure automation solutions comply with GMP requirements, ALCOA+ principles, data integrity expectations, Computer System Validation requirements, and applicable global regulations.
• Own and oversee quality system records associated with automation initiatives, including change controls, deviations, CAPAs, investigations, and impact assessments.
• Serve as the QC automation subject matter expert during regulatory inspections, audits, and health authority interactions.
• Develop and monitor automation performance metrics, reliability measures, operational KPIs, and business value indicators to drive continuous improvement and investment decisions.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Technical Development, Analytical Development, AS&T, and Quality organizations to support product lifecycle activities, investigations, and strategic business initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies, laboratory robotics, artificial intelligence applications, and digital capabilities to continuously advance Moderna's laboratory automation strategy.
• Influence cross functional teams and senior leadership to drive alignment on automation priorities, technology investments, and long-term laboratory transformation goals.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the QC organization.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director