Senior Engineering Maintenance Technician - Packaging

Moderna Therapeutics; Harwell; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Well-being programs

Generous time off

Pension benefits

Job summary

Moderna, Harwell, is seeking an onsite maintenance technician to keep GMP and non-GMP manufacturing equipment reliable. You will troubleshoot, repair, and improve preventive maintenance while coordinating with vendors and internal teams.

The role emphasizes strong technical writing, EHS compliance, and the ability to work across multiple systems in a fast-paced, state‑of‑the‑art facility.

Qualifications

• Certificate 3 in Mechanical Engineering, 3–5 years in a regulated environment.
• Sterile manufacturing experience is desirable.
• Post-secondary degree in science/technical field preferred.
• Understanding of automated process equipment (PLC controls).
• Experience with pneumatics and vacuum systems.
• Familiarity with Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventive and corrective maintenance on GMP and non-GMP equipment.
• Identify issues, perform repairs, and plan remediation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment problems as first responder.
• Coordinate with vendors and service providers for specialist work.
• Maintain cGMP maintenance records and documentation.
• Support continuous manufacturing operations with on-call rotation.
• Deliver technical projects and small engineering tasks.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Pneumatics

Vacuum systems

Autoclaves

Technical writing

Excel/Office

Education

Certificate 3 in Mechanical Engineering

Science/technical field degree (preferred)

Tools

PLC controls

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The Role

Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients. Moderna is establishing a leading research, development, and manufacturing facility at Harwell to support onshore mRNA vaccine production for respiratory diseases in the UK. This long term investment will create skilled jobs and strengthen collaboration with academic, NHS, and government partners. We welcome experts ready to help expand access to life saving vaccines. Based at our new GMP manufacturing facility in Harwell, UK, you will play a hands‑on role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and continued operation of critical manufacturing and support equipment. As an individual contributor reporting to the Site Facilities & Engineering Lead, you will be a first responder to technical equipment issues, combining mechanical expertise, structured troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance to keep our manufacturing operations running safely and efficiently. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to a state‑of‑the‑art mRNA manufacturing environment, strengthen equipment reliability, and explore emerging digital and Generative AI‑enabled tools to support technical problem‑solving and continuous improvement.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Maintain critical manufacturing equipment: Execute scheduled preventative and corrective maintenance on GMP and non‑GMP process and support equipment, following established procedures and approved practices.
• Identify equipment issues, perform repairs, and develop effective remediation plans for follow‑up and emergency maintenance activities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment issues: Act as a first responder to equipment failures, applying structured troubleshooting and root cause investigation techniques to diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum, and automated process equipment issues.
• Take ownership of resolution, either performing repairs directly or coordinating specialist equipment vendors and service providers.
• Provide technical expertise across manufacturing systems: Support the operation, maintenance, and reliability of manufacturing and support equipment, including autoclaves, washers, filling lines, isolators, tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems, chromatography columns and skids, mixers, stainless steel tanks, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and mixing vessels.
• Drive equipment reliability and continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve preventative maintenance tasks, equipment performance, and maintenance strategies.
• Collaborate with equipment owners and engineers to investigate recurring failures, determine true root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).
• Deliver maintenance activities and technical projects: Take ownership of assigned maintenance activities and small engineering projects, coordinating technical work across multiple systems while managing competing priorities and ensuring timely completion with minimal supervision.
• Maintain rigorous GMP documentation: Create, update, and maintain accurate paper‑based and electronic cGMP maintenance records, ensuring all maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting activities comply with site procedures, quality standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Apply strong technical writing skills when documenting investigations and corrective actions.
• Coordinate contractors and equipment vendors: Oversee routine and non‑routine contractor activities, ensuring appropriate Safe Work Method Statements (SWMMS), work permits, and site GMP requirements are in place.
• Direct vendor activities where specialist intervention is required and verify that work is completed safely and effectively.
• Champion safe working practices: Perform and coordinate maintenance activities in accordance with site Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), working at heights, hot work controls, and other applicable safety requirements.
• Support continuous manufacturing operations: Participate in a rotating on‑call schedule to support the facility's 24/7 operational requirements, responding promptly to equipment and facilities issues to minimise downtime and maintain operational continuity.
• Develop technical capability across the site: Maintain Qualified Trainer status and deliver On‑the‑Job Training (OJT) to colleagues, sharing technical knowledge, equipment expertise, and best practices to strengthen maintenance capabilities and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate across technical and operational teams: Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, facilities, quality, and equipment owners to communicate technical findings, present maintenance and investigation outcomes, and influence decisions that improve equipment reliability and operational performance.
• Explore digital innovation in maintenance: Contribute to opportunities to use digital technologies, including Generative AI‑enabled tools where appropriate and approved, to enhance technical knowledge sharing, maintenance documentation, troubleshooting efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability: Represent Moderna's interests, objectives, and policies professionally, maintaining a customer‑service mindset while taking responsibility for assignments, delivering results across multiple complex priorities, and supporting additional site activities as required.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table

• Certificate 3 in Mechanical Engineering- Fitter and Turner Qualification 3 to 5 years relevant experience working in a regulated (cGMP preferred) environment.
• Experience working in sterile manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Post‑secondary degree in a science/technical field or a technical trade school degree preferred.
• Understanding of automated process equipment (PLC controls) for simple troubleshooting is required.
• Understanding and experience with pneumatics’ and vacuum systems.
• Understanding of process equipment (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, mixing vessels).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) are required.
• Expected to be able to present own work to peers and cross‑functional managers and influence leadership decisions.
• Technical writing skills required.
• Must have a customer service mindset.
• Ability to manage competing priorities is critical.
• Must be able use his/her technical background to investigate issues using a structured problem‑solving approach to determine true root cause and develop effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Must be able to find true root cause and path forward for complex problems.
• Ability to identify and drive improvements to preventative maintenance tasks and strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new equipment/systems.
• Familiarity with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are required.
• Ability to interact well with other groups and must be able to take ownership of and follow through on assignments.
• Must be able to drive results on multiple complex assignments simultaneously with minimal required direction from his/her supervisor.
• Ability to represent Moderna’s interests, objectives, and policies in a professional and responsible manner.

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed that an in‑person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site‑based operations. Working onsite enables real‑time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands‑on partnership needed to deliver our mission. 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.

Pay & 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 building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.

Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, 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. 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. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, our 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.

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow.

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 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 accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

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 of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at [e-mail].

Third Party Staffing Agencies

Moderna does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. For the protection of all parties involved in the recruiting process, resumes will only be accepted from recruiters/agencies if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position. Unsolicited resumes sent to Moderna from recruiters/agencies do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter/agency and Moderna and do not obligate Moderna to pay fees if we hire from those resumes.