Senior Systems Engineer, Digital for Research and Technical Development

Moderna • Cambridge, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level