Principal Engineer, HVAC, Mechanical, and Sustainability

Moderna Therapeutics; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Well-being programs

Family planning

Generous PTO

Global recharge days

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics in Norwood, MA is seeking a senior HVAC and mechanical engineer to lead design and operation of critical facilities. You will drive energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices across global sites.

You’ll partner with Facilities, EHS, Quality, and project teams, mentor engineers, and support site capital projects from design through commissioning. PE license required; LEED/WELL preferred; FDA/EMA knowledge a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in HVAC and mechanical engineering with focus on sustainability.
• Experience managing large international projects from design to operations readiness.
• PE license or equivalent; LEED or WELL preferred; GxP/GMP training; FDA/EMA/ICH knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of HVAC and mechanical systems for high-profile projects with energy efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Act as SME in HVAC, mechanical engineering, and sustainability for complex technical challenges.
• Drive adoption of innovative technologies to improve system performance and sustainability.
• Oversee design, construction, and operation of critical facilities and labs including international sites.
• Collaborate with global teams to deliver projects on time and within budget, ensuring quality.
• Develop standardized engineering practices across global sites for consistency.
• Champion sustainability with renewable energy, efficient HVAC, and green certifications.
• Monitor energy performance metrics and implement improvements to reduce cost and environmental impact.
• Stay current with global sustainability trends and regulations; align with best practices.
• Provide strategic input to senior leadership on engineering and sustainability initiatives.
• Support business development with technical expertise on proposals and client engagements.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

Skills

HVAC design

Sustainability leadership

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Energy efficiency optimization

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical/HVAC Engineering

Job description

The Role: A candidate in this role is a key technical contributor responsible for delivering reliable, compliant, and energy-efficient HVAC and mechanical systems for critical facilities and labs. This role partners closely with Facilities, EHS, Quality, and project teams to support design, construction, and operational readiness of site capital projects and sustaining engineering initiatives. The individual in this position provides hands‑on technical guidance, applies best practices in sustainability and energy performance, and helps ensure systems meet user requirements, safety expectations, and applicable regulatory standards. Here’s What You’ll Do

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimization of HVAC and mechanical systems for high‑profile projects, ensuring energy efficiency, reliability, and compliance with global standards.
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) in HVAC, mechanical engineering, and sustainability, providing guidance on complex technical challenges.
• Drive the adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies to improve system performance and sustainability.
• Oversee the design, construction, and operationalization of critical clinical and commercial facilities and labs including international sites.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and global stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet organizational objectives.
• Develop and implement standardized engineering practices across global sites to ensure consistency and quality.
• Champion sustainability initiatives by integrating renewable energy, efficient HVAC designs, and green building certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL).
• Monitor and evaluate energy performance metrics, implementing improvements to reduce environmental impact and operational costs.
• Stay abreast of global sustainability trends and regulations, ensuring projects align with emerging best practices.
• Provide strategic input to senior leadership on engineering and sustainability initiatives, aligning projects with organizational goals.
• Support business development by contributing technical expertise to proposals and client engagements.
• Actively participate in industry forums, conferences, and publications to enhance the company’s reputation as a leader in HVAC, mechanical systems, and sustainability.
• Ensure engineering documentation is complete, accurate, and traceable (e.g., design rationale, calculations, equipment data, change controls as applicable).
• Support compliance with GxP expectations by following established procedures and collaborating with Quality/Validation partners on documentation requirements.
• Participate in investigations, CAPAs, or change management activities related to HVAC/mechanical systems as needed.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a high‑performance team culture.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the engineering team.
• Lead training programs on sustainability and emerging HVAC technologies to enhance team capabilities.

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

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in HVAC and mechanical engineering, with a strong focus on sustainability.
• Deep technical knowledge of HVAC and mechanical systems, including design, construction, and operational principles.
• Proven track record of managing large‑scale, international projects from design to operational readiness.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, and green building certifications.

Certifications/Training

• Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent certification required.
• LEED or WELL accreditation preferred.
• GxP/GMP compliance training.
• Strong understanding of FDA, EMA, and ICH regulations.

Other Requirements

• Strong leadership and project management skills, with experience managing global, cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple technical priorities within a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical skills to identify and resolve complex technical issues.
• Exceptional decision‑making abilities, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to data integrity, safety, and quality excellence in all work activities.
• 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

• 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 $142,500.00 - $256,500.00. 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.

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

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.