Sr. Automation Engineer

ModernaTX • Norwood, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Role We are seeking a Senior Engineer I to join the Automated Systems Engineering team within Applied Technologies, focused on translating early-stage automation into robust, scalable, GMP-ready solutions for bioassay workflows. In this role, you will bridge development and regulated environments by hardening automated systems for deployment into GMP settings. You will lead technical execution across the automation lifecycle, including design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment, ensuring systems meet requirements for data integrity, traceability, and operational robustness. This role requires a strong understanding of cell-based bioassays and their constraints under automation, including workflows such as cell maintenance, transfection, assay execution, and sample preparation. You will partner across engineering, assay development, quality, and operations to deliver automation solutions that maintain biological integrity while enabling reliable, high-throughput execution in support of clinical and commercial programs

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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 systems.
• Experience with workcell based automation equipment controlled by scheduling software such as HighRes Cellario, Thermo CRS Momentum, etc.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive healthcare, 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 investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

What This Job Offers

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