Sr. Systems Engineer, Digital for Research and Technical Development
Moderna
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Full-Time
$130,800
HybridExecutive
The Role
Moderna is seeking an individual responsible for lifecycle management, optimization, and continuous improvement of laboratory digital systems across our Research and Technical Development organization.
This role supports and maintains a diverse ecosystem of standalone laboratory systems and enterprise platforms while remaining technology-agnostic and solution-oriented.
The ideal candidate combines strong engineering discipline with deep laboratory domain knowledge and a systems-thinking mindset. They will ensure system reliability, compliance, scalability, and interoperability across platforms in support of R&TD laboratories.
Here's What You’ll Do
System Ownership & Lifecycle Management: Serve as a technical owner for digital laboratory systems across multiple platforms.
Manage lifecycle of laboratory applications and digital platforms, including configuration, upgrades, patching, validation, and retirement.
Manage lifecycle of laboratory instrument controller systems and associated client hardware, including OS upgrades, vendor coordination, hardware refresh, and cybersecurity hardening.
Ensure systems meet performance, availability, security, and compliance requirements.
Define and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies for laboratory systems.
Platform-Agnostic Engineering: Design and implement solutions independent of specific vendors or technologies.
Evaluate and integrate new lab systems and digital tools using standardized architectural principles and best practices.
Develop automation and standardized deployment patterns to improve scalability and reduce manual configuration across laboratory systems.
Support hybrid architectures spanning instrument-connected edge systems and cloud-based enterprise platforms.
Incident & Change Management: Track incidents and service requests; develop and maintain knowledge base documentation.
Provide advanced technical support and perform root cause analysis for complex system issues.
Support changing management activities in alignment with IT governance standards.
Integration & Data Integrity: Design, implement, and maintain integrations between lab systems and enterprise platforms (e.g., ELN, LIMS, data lakes, analytics platforms).
Ensure data integrity, traceability, and secure data flows across systems.
Support data governance initiatives and master data harmonization efforts.
Continuous Improvement & Strategy: Identify opportunities to streamline laboratory workflows and enhance user experience.
Contribute to digital laboratory strategy and roadmap development.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend scalable, future-ready solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a trusted technical advisor to laboratory and digital stakeholders, translating scientific workflows and business requirements into scalable engineering solutions while clearly articulating technical trade-offs, risks, and constraints.
Partner with laboratory scientists, lab administrators, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity teams, and external vendors to deliver secure, compliant, and reliable laboratory systems.
Partner with Cybersecurity to implement secure architectures for laboratory networks and deployments.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.
What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
5–8 years of hands-on experience supporting laboratory equipment controller PCs and/or enterprise platforms within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting instrument-connected systems where hardware interfaces, firmware versions, vendor drivers, and acquisition workflows must be carefully managed to avoid operational disruption.
Strong expertise in troubleshooting laboratory instrument communication across Windows-based, Linux-based, and proprietary operating systems.
Proven experience working with laboratory applications (web-based and client-server) and their underlying database architecture.
Experience with IT service management and collaboration tools such as ServiceNow, JIRA, or Confluence.
Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, including virtualization, networking, cybersecurity, and system architecture principles.
Understanding of secure lab network architecture and endpoint hardening.
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)
Experience supporting hybrid laboratory environments spanning instrument-connected on-premises systems (including virtualized infrastructure such as VMware) and cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS).
Experience supporting or integrating with laboratory informatics platforms such as ELN, LIMS, SDMS, or data lake environments.
Familiarity with GxP-regulated laboratory environments and computer system validation (CSV) practices.
Experience working directly with laboratory instrument vendors to evaluate compatibility, coordinate upgrades, and resolve integration constraints.
Understanding of research data lifecycle management, including raw data management, data capture, metadata standards, traceability, and reproducibility considerations.
Pay & Benefits
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
Best-in-class healthcare coverage, 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 investment opportunities 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. 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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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. #LI-CK1-