Director, Robotics Implementation Program Lead

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 183,800 - 330,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Holistic well-being resources

Family planning benefits

Generous paid time off

Savings and investments

Location-specific perks

Job summary

Moderna is seeking a Director, Robotics Program Implementation Lead to shape and execute the robotics strategy across the CMC manufacturing network for Clinical and Commercial operations. This role partners with multiple functions to identify high-value robotics opportunities and translate them into scalable programs.

The leader will drive governance, milestones, and performance metrics while ensuring compliance and alignment to measurable business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, automation, robotics, digital manufacturing, technical operations, or program leadership in biotech/pharma
• cGMP experience in Drug Substance or Drug Product manufacturing
• Experience developing business cases, investment estimates, resource plans, timelines, risk assessments, and value realization models
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional programs from concept through implementation and operationalization
• Strong understanding of robotics, automation, manufacturing systems, equipment implementation, digital integration, and technical feasibility assessment
• Ability to influence without direct authority and drive execution across matrixed teams
• Understanding of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 concepts, ISA-95 and ISA-88 industry standards
• Familiarity with Control Systems, SCADA systems, Fleet Management System, Data Systems, and System Integration
• Knowledge of GAMP, Computer System Validation (CSV), and regulatory compliance requirements
• Potential to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Moderna's CMC manufacturing robotics strategy and roadmap.
• Identify and prioritize robotics opportunities in AMRs, Machine Tending Robots, Humanoids, among others.
• Partner with business leaders to understand operational needs and translate them into robotics initiatives.
• Define solution approaches and implementation strategies with technical subject matter experts.
• Develop investment estimates, resource requirements, timelines, and feasibility assessments for proposed initiatives.
• Lead a portfolio of robotics programs from concept through deployment and operationalization.
• Establish governance, milestones, risk management, and performance metrics across the portfolio.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across business, engineering, digital, and quality.
• Hold programs teams accountable for commitments and execution outcomes.
• Remove barriers and influence stakeholders across all levels, including senior executives.
• Communicate strategy, status, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Robotics

Automation

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Influence without authority

ISA-95/ISA-88

cGMP familiarity

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Robotics/CS

Master’s degree in Engineering/Robotics/CS

Job description

The Role

Moderna is seeking a Director, Robotics Program Implementation Lead to shape and execute the robotics strategy across CMC manufacturing network for Clinical and Commercial operations. Moderna’s CMC manufacturing network includes Drug Substance and Drug Product manufacturing capabilities. This leader will identify and prioritize robotics opportunities, develop the roadmap and business cases, establish governance, and lead a portfolio of robotics programs from concept through deployment and operationalization.

This role will partner closely with CMC business leaders, Engineering, Digital, Manufacturing, MSAT, Automation, Quality, and site leadership to identify high-value robotics opportunities and convert them into scalable, executable programs.

The successful candidate will bring a strong combination of strategic program leadership, manufacturing operations knowledge, robotics and automation fluency, executive communication, and cross-functional influence. This individual will partner closely with technical subject matter experts to define solution approaches while empowering technical leads to own design decisions. The Director will ensure robotics initiatives are scalable, standardized, compliant, and aligned to measurable business outcomes.

This position is based in Moderna’s Norwood, MA office.

Here’s What You’ll Do

Robotics Strategy and Roadmap

• Develop and maintain Moderna's CMC manufacturing robotics strategy and roadmap.
• Identify and prioritize robotics opportunities in the areas of AMRs, Machine Tending Robots, Humanoids as a few examples.
• Partner with business leaders to understand operational needs and translate them into robotics initiatives.
• Define solution approaches and implementation strategies in partnership with technical subject matter experts.
• Develop investment estimates, resource requirements, timelines, and technical feasibility assessments for proposed initiatives.

Program Portfolio Leadership

• Lead a portfolio of robotics programs from concept through deployment and operationalization.
• Establish governance, milestones, risk management processes, and performance metrics across the robotics portfolio.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across business, engineering, digital, and quality.
• Hold program teams accountable for commitments, deliverables, and execution outcomes.
• Proactively identify and remove organizational, technical, operational, and resource barriers
• Influence stakeholders and drive decision-making across all levels of the organization, including senior executives.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Communicate program strategy, status, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership, including Business Unit Heads.
• Partner with technical leads to evaluate solutions and empower technical leads to own and drive design.
• Promote standardization, scalability, and reuse of robotics solutions across the enterprise.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, automation, robotics, digital manufacturing, technical operations, or program leadership, in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• cGMP experience in Drug Substance or Drug Product manufacturing
• Experience developing business cases, investment estimates, resource plans, timelines, risk assessments, and value realization models.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional programs from concept through implementation and operationalization
• Strong understanding of robotics, automation, manufacturing systems, equipment implementation, digital integration, and technical feasibility assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and drive execution across matrixed teams.
• Understanding of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 concepts, ISA-95 and ISA-88 industry standards
• Familiarity with Control Systems, SCADA systems, Fleet Management System, Data Systems, and System Integration
• Knowledge of GAMP, Computer System Validation (CSV), and regulatory compliance requirements
• Potential to travel up to 25%.

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

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline
• Experience implementing robotics solutions in GMP, cleanroom, aseptic, laboratory, warehouse, packaging, inspection, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing a portfolio of automation, digital, manufacturing, or engineering initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading adoption of new technologies in operational environments
• Motivation and curiosity to learn new technologies and continuously improve
• Collaborative mindset with a strong commitment to quality and operational excellence
• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• 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

The salary range for this role is $183,800.00 - $330,300.00. 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 [e-mail].

Export Control NoticeThis 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.