Director, Robotics Implementation Program Lead

Moderna Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 183,800 - 330,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare benefits

Holistic well-being resources

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Robotics Program Implementation Lead to shape and execute the robotics strategy across the CMC manufacturing network. The successful candidate will bring extensive manufacturing operations knowledge and strong fluency in robotics and automation, leading cross-functional teams to deliver scalable robotics solutions.

This position requires a Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of experience in the field, with a focus on driving innovation within a regulated environment. A Master's degree is preferred, and candidates should have a strong commitment to operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, automation, or robotics.
• cGMP experience in Drug Substance or Drug Product manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Moderna's CMC manufacturing robotics strategy.
• Lead a portfolio of robotics programs from concept to operationalization.
• Communicate program strategy and status to executive leadership.

Skills

Manufacturing operations knowledge

Robotics and automation fluency

Executive communication

Cross-functional influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline

Master’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related technical discipline

Tools

Control Systems

SCADA systems

Job description

Role Overview

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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%.

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

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 an E‑Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities.