The Role:
Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients.
Moderna is strengthening Australia’s biotech landscape through a long term partnership focused on pandemic resilience. Our Melbourne based mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility will support rapid response to future health threats while creating skilled jobs and developing local talent. We welcome professionals ready to help advance global health security.
Based on-site at Moderna’s GMP manufacturing facility in Melbourne, Australia, and reporting to the Plant Engineering Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance and operational readiness of our manufacturing and support equipment. As a hands-on technical specialist and individual contributor, you will take ownership of mechanical maintenance, complex troubleshooting, equipment investigations and reliability improvements across GMP and non-GMP systems. Working closely with engineering, manufacturing and external service providers, you will help maintain safe, compliant and efficient 24/7 operations while contributing to continuous improvement and the adoption of innovative digital technologies.
Here's What You'll Do:
- Keep our manufacturing operations running reliably: Perform scheduled preventative and corrective maintenance on GMP and non-GMP process equipment and supporting systems, following established procedures and approved practices. Take ownership of equipment issues as a first responder, ensuring they are resolved through hands-on intervention or the effective coordination of external service providers.
- Lead technical troubleshooting and equipment recovery: Diagnose mechanical and operational issues across complex manufacturing equipment and interconnected systems. Develop and implement remediation plans for equipment failures, emergency repairs and follow-up maintenance, working alongside equipment owners, engineers and specialist vendors to restore equipment performance and minimise operational disruption.
- Become a trusted technical expert in advanced manufacturing equipment: Provide subject matter expertise in the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of autoclaves, washers, filling lines, isolators, tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems, chromatography columns and skids, mixers, stainless steel tanks and associated manufacturing equipment. Apply your knowledge of pumps, valves, heat exchangers, mixing vessels, pneumatic and vacuum systems, and automated process equipment to support effective maintenance and reliable operation.
- Drive equipment reliability and continuous improvement: Support technical investigations and reliability engineering activities, applying structured problem-solving methodologies to identify true root causes of complex equipment failures. Develop effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs), identify opportunities to optimise preventative maintenance tasks and strategies, and lead improvements that strengthen equipment performance and operational resilience.
- Deliver maintenance activities and technical projects: Take the lead in executing maintenance activities and small engineering projects, managing competing priorities and multiple complex assignments with minimal supervision. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure technical solutions are implemented effectively, safely and in alignment with manufacturing requirements.
- Maintain rigorous GMP documentation and compliance: Create, maintain and complete accurate cGMP maintenance records in both paper-based and electronic systems. Ensure maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting and associated activities are documented in accordance with approved procedures, regulatory expectations and site quality requirements.
- Coordinate contractors and specialist service providers: Supervise external contractors undertaking routine and non-routine maintenance activities, ensuring appropriate Safe Work Method Statements (SWMMS), work permits and site GMP requirements are in place. Direct vendor activities where necessary, maintaining accountability for safe execution, technical quality and completion of assigned work.
- Champion safety in everything you do: Perform and coordinate maintenance activities in accordance with Moderna’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures. Apply relevant safety controls, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), working-at-heights requirements and hot-work procedures, ensuring all work is completed responsibly and in compliance with site standards.
- Support continuous manufacturing operations: Participate in a rotating on-call roster to support the facility’s 24/7 operations. Respond to urgent equipment and facility issues, providing timely technical intervention and coordinating the necessary resources to restore safe and reliable operation.
- Share your expertise and develop technical capability: Maintain Qualified Trainer status and deliver structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) to colleagues. Share equipment knowledge, maintenance best practices and troubleshooting techniques to strengthen technical capability across the Melbourne manufacturing facility.
- Help shape the future of digital maintenance: Contribute to opportunities to improve maintenance effectiveness through digital tools, data-driven troubleshooting and emerging technologies, including Generative AI where appropriate and in accordance with approved company practices. Explore how these capabilities could support technical knowledge sharing, maintenance documentation, equipment investigations and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate, communicate and take ownership: Work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, quality and other cross-functional stakeholders, demonstrating a strong customer service mindset. Communicate technical findings clearly, prepare high-quality technical documentation, present your work to peers and cross-functional managers, and provide recommendations that can influence leadership decisions. Take full ownership of assignments, follow through to resolution and represent Moderna’s interests, objectives and policies professionally and responsibly.
- Contribute wherever your expertise is needed: Support additional maintenance, engineering and operational activities as required to ensure the continued safe, compliant and reliable operation of the Melbourne manufacturing facility.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- "We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.”
- “We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.”
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics), preferred.
- Trade qualification – Certificate 3, preferred.
- 3 to 5 years relevant experience working in a regulated (cGMP preferred) environment. Experience working in sterile manufacturing is highly desirable.
- Hands on experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Understanding of automated process equipment (PLC controls) for simple troubleshooting is required.
- Understanding and experience with pneumatic and vacuum systems.
- Understanding of process equipment (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, mixing vessels etc)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) are required. Expected to be able to present own work to peers and cross-functional managers and influence leadership decisions. Technical writing skills required.
- Must have a customer service mindset. Ability to manage competing priorities is critical.
- Must be able use his/her technical background to investigate issues using a structured problem solving approach to determine true root cause and develop effective corrective and preventative actions. Must be able to find true root cause and path forward for complex problems.
- Ability to identify and drive improvements to preventative maintenance tasks and strategy.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new equipment/systems.
- Familiarity with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are required.
- Ability to interact well with other groups and must be able to take ownership of and follow through on assignments. Must be able to drive results on multiple complex assignments simultaneously with minimal required direction from his/her supervisor.
- Ability to represent Moderna’s interests, objectives and policies in a professional and responsible manner.
As part of Moderna’s commitment to workplace health and safety, this role may be subject to pre-employment and periodic medical assessments, in line with relevant legal and operational requirements.
Our Working Model
As we build our company, we have always believed that an in-person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site-based operations.
Working onsite enables real-time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands-on partnership needed to deliver our mission. 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.
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 building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, 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 benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.
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.
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 committed to equal opportunity in employment 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
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 accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment 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 and Adjustments team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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