Principal, Process Engineering, Global Engineering Technical Authority

ModernaTX • Norwood, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Engineer, Process Engineering, Global Engineering Technical Authority is based in Norwood, Massachusetts, and serves as a global technical leader and Subject Matter Expert within Moderna’s Global Engineering Technical Authority (GETA). The role provides technical direction, engineering oversight, and lifecycle support for GMP drug substance manufacturing process equipment throughout Moderna’s global manufacturing network. It partners with Facilities, Manufacturing, Process Development, Research, and other stakeholders to design, evaluate, and implement process technologies and support manufacturing capabilities.

The position provides technical leadership across the capital project lifecycle, from conceptual design and equipment selection through procurement, construction, installation, startup, commissioning, and qualification. It serves as Engineering Owner for assigned drug substance process equipment and supports its design, implementation, operation, optimization, and lifecycle improvement. Equipment areas include ultrafiltration and chromatography systems, single-use mixers, buffer preparation vessels, Clean-in-Place systems, temperature control units, fermenters, reaction vessels, pumps, sensors, instrumentation, and associated process systems.

The Principal Engineer establishes engineering direction for manufacturing unit operations, promotes consistent practices, reliability, process robustness, and continuous improvement, and evaluates emerging technologies for technical feasibility, GMP suitability, scalability, risks, and operational benefits. The role also leads technical studies, troubleshooting, equipment performance assessments, and implementation recommendations; provides technical oversight and approval of design documentation and qualification deliverables within delegated authority; and designs and optimizes single-use consumables in alignment with sourcing strategy. As a senior individual contributor, the role guides and mentors technical teams, influences cross-functional decisions, and leads complex initiatives without direct people-management responsibility. It may also explore the responsible use of Generative AI and other digital capabilities for engineering knowledge management and decision-making.

The working model is 70% in-office and emphasizes in-person collaboration. The role is based in Norwood, MA, and requires travel of up to 25%. Moderna’s work environment is smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free. The stated salary range is $142,500–$256,500. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to plan eligibility and individual performance. Employment is contingent on eligibility to access export-controlled information; only U.S. persons are eligible, and Moderna cannot sponsor non-U.S. persons for an export control license.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in process engineering or biopharmaceutical manufacturing engineering.
• Deep expertise in the design, selection, integration, and lifecycle management of bioprocess equipment, including ultrafiltration, chromatography, single-use mixers, buffer preparation vessels, temperature control units, fermenters, reaction vessels, and associated process systems.
• Proven track record leading technical evaluation, selection, and implementation of manufacturing technologies, considering process performance, technical feasibility, scalability, and GMP compatibility.
• Demonstrated expertise in pump technologies and process sensors used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including selection, performance evaluation, troubleshooting, and integration.
• Strong understanding of pump operating principles and process measurement technologies and their applications in reliable manufacturing operations.
• Ability to lead resolution of complex technical challenges, apply independent engineering judgment, evaluate alternative engineering solutions, and translate assessments into practical recommendations and implementation plans.
• Experience with pharmaceutical processing equipment and unit operations.
• Experience designing and optimizing single-use consumables.
• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements and their application in a cGMP environment.
• Experience with commissioning and qualification of facilities, utilities, systems, and equipment.
• Exceptional technical analysis, engineering judgment, problem-solving, and technical communication capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional technical teams, take ownership of assignments, and deliver results across multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership on complex capital projects from conceptual design through commissioning and qualification.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Eligibility as a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) to access export-controlled information; Moderna cannot sponsor non-U.S. persons for an export control license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a GxP biopharmaceutical operations environment.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis techniques.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a global technical leader and Subject Matter Expert within GETA, providing technical direction, engineering oversight, and lifecycle support for GMP drug substance manufacturing process equipment.
• Lead cross-functional teams of subject matter experts supporting drug substance manufacturing and developing engineering projects.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and work-prioritization support across engineering teams as a senior individual contributor.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight through the full capital project lifecycle, from conceptual design through commissioning and qualification.
• Ensure capital projects and equipment solutions align with global engineering standards, operational and user requirements, quality expectations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Serve as global technical SME and Engineering Owner for drug substance process equipment, including ultrafiltration, chromatography, single-use mixers, Clean-in-Place systems, temperature control units, reaction vessels, and associated equipment.
• Provide technical stewardship for assigned equipment from design and implementation through operation, optimization, and lifecycle improvement.
• Establish technical direction for design, optimization, and lifecycle management of drug substance manufacturing unit operations, promoting consistent engineering practices, reliability, process robustness, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate, select, integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize pumps, sensors, instrumentation, and associated process-control components used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Identify, evaluate, and support strategic implementation of innovative manufacturing technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, scalability, and operational performance.
• Assess emerging technologies through feasibility studies, engineering evaluations, and collaboration with suppliers; develop recommendations considering process requirements, GMP suitability, risks, scalability, and operational benefits.
• Partner with Research, Process Development, and Manufacturing teams to evaluate new technologies and select scalable, robust, GMP-compatible solutions.
• Lead complex engineering evaluations, technical studies, troubleshooting, and equipment performance assessments; translate findings into recommendations and guide implementation.
• Provide technical oversight and approval, within delegated authority, of engineering design documentation, equipment specifications, commissioning strategies, and qualification deliverables.
• Design and optimize single-use consumables, defining functional requirements and aligning supplier selection with sourcing strategy.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external equipment and technology suppliers to assess equipment capabilities, resolve technical challenges, and identify opportunities for technology advancement.
• Use independent engineering judgment and structured problem-solving to influence technical decisions, mentor technical talent, and lead complex initiatives without direct people-management responsibility.
• Support responsible integration of new technologies into GMP manufacturing, including exploring Generative AI and digital capabilities for knowledge management, technical assessments, troubleshooting, supplier evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Travel up to 25%.
• Represent Moderna’s interests, objectives, and policies professionally and responsibly.

Benefits

• Competitive healthcare and voluntary benefit programs.
• 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 programs.
• Location-specific perks and extras.
• Potential eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

What This Job Offers

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