Associate Director, Quality Control Lab Automation

The Role

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.

Here's What You’ll Do

• 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.

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

• Education: BS, MS, or PHD in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Life Sciences, or a related technical field.
• Experience:  BS degree with 10+ years, MS degree with 8+ years, or PhD with 5+ years of experience in automation experience in design and implementation.
• Specific Certifications or Training: None 
• Other Quantifiable Preference:

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• 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.

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 salary range for this role is $142,500.00 - $256,500.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.

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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com. 

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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