Director, Site Engineering Lead

Moderna; Tighnabruaich; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in Tighnabruaich is seeking a Site Engineering Lead to oversee engineering and automation functions. This role requires 12+ years of experience in GMP manufacturing and 5+ years in engineering leadership. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance, leading a technical team, and driving engineering initiatives. Competitive benefits including quality healthcare, lifestyle spending accounts, and generous paid time off are offered.

Benefits

Quality healthcare and insurance benefits

Lifestyle Spending Accounts

Free access to fitness and mindfulness classes

Generous paid time off

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in GMP manufacturing environments.
• 5+ years of engineering leadership experience.
• Hands-on experience supporting process introduction and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Engineering & Automation function for MITC.
• Develop and mentor a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Ensure site systems are inspection-ready and compliant.

Skills

Process engineering

Technical problem-solving

Team leadership

Automation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Role: Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases. As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives. Moderna is solidifying its presence in Harwell, Oxfordshire, as part of a long-term commitment to onshore mRNA vaccine production and innovation in the UK. At our Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), we are building a highly skilled team to deliver technical excellence, manufacturing leadership, and scientific advancement. We\u2019re inviting global experts to join us in transforming medicine and shaping the future of mRNA therapeutics from our newest state-of-the-art facility in the UK.

This is a critical leadership opportunity for a forward-thinking engineering expert to help shape the future of Moderna’s UK operations. As Site Engineering Lead at MITC in Harwell, you will serve as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Site Head with a dotted line to the SVP of Global Engineering. You will lead the strategic and operational direction of Engineering and Automation across GMP Drug Substance manufacturing operations and co-located R&D laboratory facilities.

Responsibilities

Here is What You’ll Do:

• Lead the Engineering & Automation function for MITC, encompassing process engineering, automation, utilities, maintenance, and metrology.
• Represent Engineering & Automation on the Site Leadership Team, participating in site-level strategic and operational decision-making.
• Develop and mentor a multidisciplinary technical team, fostering strength in reliability engineering, technical problem-solving, and advanced process technologies.
• Provide strategic leadership and hands-on oversight for engineering initiatives that support routine operations and the introduction of new platforms.
• Ensure site systems are inspection-ready, compliant with MHRA, EMA, FDA, and internal quality standards.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, focusing on process robustness, cost optimization, and equipment lifecycle performance.
• Guide implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve uptime and maximize asset reliability.
• Support future growth by enabling deployment of new technologies and integrating digital systems aligned with network strategies.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Drive the successful lifecycle management of all technical systems, ensuring they meet Moderna’s safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Oversee compliance activities related to GMP documentation: change controls, SOPs, engineering records, deviations, CAPAs, and investigations.
• Act as the site’s primary technical interface with Global Engineering, MS&T, and Technical Development functions.
• Collaborate across Quality, Manufacturing, Digital, and EHS teams to ensure readiness, alignment, and seamless execution of engineering initiatives.
• Contribute actively to global forums to share best practices and influence Moderna’s global engineering strategy.

Mindsets

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. In this role, you will lead the integration of advanced automation and digital technologies into our manufacturing and engineering operations, accelerating our ability to scale, learn, and deliver consistently high performance.
• We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description. This role requires full ownership of the site's technical roadmap, working proactively across global networks and local teams to ensure Moderna’s long-term impact through engineering excellence.

Qualifications

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field) required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated GMP manufacturing environments.
• 5+ years of engineering leadership experience, including management of multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in process engineering, with hands-on experience supporting process introduction, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Proven experience in technology transfer, equipment commissioning, and implementation of new manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations (MHRA, EMA, FDA) and experience supporting inspections and audits.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority across global, matrixed organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills.

Benefits

• Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well-being
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investments
• Location-specific perks and extras

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.

Equality and Accessibility

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at [e-mail].