Manufacturing Associate II, Process Development

Moderna Therapeutics; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Well-being programs

Family planning benefits

Paid time off

Savings & investments

Location-specific perks

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics in Norwood, MA is seeking a Manufacturing Associate II to support pilot-scale DNA production and downstream activities within a fast-paced biotech environment. You will play an active role in executing DNA manufacturing processes, maintaining documentation, and adhering to safety and quality standards.

The role emphasizes hands-on operation, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement to enable manufacturing readiness and operational excellence at the Norwood

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering field, with 0-2 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience in biotechnology manufacturing, process development, or a laboratory environment preferred.
• Experience with DNA/plasmid manufacturing, microbial fermentation, chromatography, filtration, or other nucleic acid manufacturing processes is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical procedures, execute complex processes, and maintain accurate and contemporaneous documentation.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and the ability to recognize and escalation process or equipment abnormalities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing production needs in a fast-paced development environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna's site full-time.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Execute established DNA manufacturing processes and unit operations according to approved procedures and laboratory expectations; lead established process executions once trained and qualified.
• Prepare buffers, media, materials, equipment, and work areas to ensure successful and timely manufacturing execution.
• Operate, clean, and maintain laboratory and DNA manufacturing equipment in accordance with established procedures and safety expectations.
• Practice Good Laboratory Practices, Good Documentation Practices, and accurate material, sample, and process tracking throughout manufacturing execution.
• Maintain manufacturing areas in a state of operational readiness and in accordance with safety, housekeeping, and 5S expectations.
• Identify and communicate process, equipment, material, documentation, or safety issues with clear context and appropriate urgency.
• Support troubleshooting and investigation activities by providing accurate observations, execution details, and process knowledge.
• Collaborate with process development, engineering, laboratory operations, and other cross-functional partners to support manufacturing readiness and execution.
• Support onboarding, peer training, continuous improvement, and operational excellence activities as appropriate.
• Cross-train and provide operational support for additional Pilot Scale Operations processes as business needs require.

Skills

Biotech manufacturing

DNA/plasmid manufacturing

Fermentation

Chromatography

Filtration

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Safety culture

Education

BS/BA in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering

Job description

The Role

The Role: The Pilot Scale Operations team is seeking a highly motivated full-time Manufacturing Associate II to primarily support pilot-scale DNA production at Moderna's Norwood, MA site. This role will support established DNA manufacturing processes in a fast-paced technical development environment, enabling the production of plasmid DNA and other DNA materials in support of Annual Strain Updates, Early Development and additional downstream manufacturing activities. A successful candidate will have hands-on experience in a biotechnology manufacturing, development, quality, or laboratory environment and will be able to execute procedures with independence, attention to detail, and strong documentation discipline. Once trained and qualified, this individual may lead established DNA manufacturing process executions with appropriate support and oversight. This role requires strong communication, safe work habits, operational ownership, and a collaborative mindset to support daily manufacturing execution, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and team readiness. The individual may also cross-train and provide support across other Pilot Scale Operations manufacturing processes based on business needs.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Execute established DNA manufacturing processes and unit operations according to approved procedures and laboratory expectations; lead established process executions once trained and qualified.
• Prepare buffers, media, materials, equipment, and work areas to ensure successful and timely manufacturing execution.
• Operate, clean, and maintain laboratory and DNA manufacturing equipment in accordance with established procedures and safety expectations.
• Practice Good Laboratory Practices, Good Documentation Practices, and accurate material, sample, and process tracking throughout manufacturing execution.
• Maintain manufacturing areas in a state of operational readiness and in accordance with safety, housekeeping, and 5S expectations.
• Identify and communicate process, equipment, material, documentation, or safety issues with clear context and appropriate urgency.
• Support troubleshooting and investigation activities by providing accurate observations, execution details, and process knowledge.
• Collaborate with process development, engineering, laboratory operations, and other cross-functional partners to support manufacturing readiness and execution.
• Support onboarding, peer training, continuous improvement, and operational excellence activities as appropriate.
• Cross-train and provide operational support for additional Pilot Scale Operations processes as business needs require.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table

• BS/BA in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering field, with 0-2 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience in biotechnology manufacturing, process development, or a laboratory environment preferred.
• Experience with DNA/plasmid manufacturing, microbial fermentation, chromatography, filtration, or other nucleic acid manufacturing processes is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical procedures, execute complex processes, and maintain accurate and contemporaneous documentation.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and the ability to recognize and escalation process or equipment abnormalities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing production needs in a fast-paced development environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna's site full-time.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.

Pay & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $63,200.00 - $100,900.00. 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.

• 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

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. 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 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.

Our Mission and Vision

At Moderna we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells. We have a clear mission to propel the field of mRNA science forward and deliver new medicines to patients and a unique vision for how to achieve this mission. Our Mission: To deliver on the promise of transformative messenger RNA (mRNA) science to bring new medicines to patients. Our Vision: To unlock the potential of mRNA by establishing an ecosystem of teams and partners that will work together to develop the broadest possible array of drugs, across diverse therapeutic areas and routes of administration, for serious diseases that are not treatable today.