Join a supportive and welcoming team of equals at AZ
Are you a recent Engineering Graduate looking for an exciting role on a Graduate Programme? If so, this could be the challenge you've been searching for!
Be welcomed into our inclusive network of diverse and high performing teams. Have the support, trust and respect to thrive – fair leadership, great workplaces and energised teams who always have each other’s back. For those with a shared drive and passion for changing people’s lives, experience a sense of belonging like no other.
Working on meaningful tasks and projects with real implications, you’ll tackle high levels of responsibility and ownership – applying your existing knowledge and broadening your skills to make valuable contributions and deliver real results for our patients and business.
What is the Engineering Graduate programme?
This is an outstanding opportunity which will give recent graduates the prospect to work for a global biopharmaceutical company, who are dedicated to making life changing medicines. As a Graduate Engineer you will develop your engineering knowledge, getting involved in technical operations and projects that will make a difference to AstraZeneca.
We will offer you a stimulating environment where you can develop and learn as you participate in a wide variety of exciting and meaningful work. We'll support you on your way to becoming a Chartered Engineer, as we have accredited schemes with the IET, IMechE and IChemE; and you’ll have the opportunity to become a STEM Ambassador and be involved in external outreach activities to inspire the future generation of Engineers.
At the end of the Graduate Programme, you will be supported by a Mentor to help you find your first permanent role in AstraZeneca.
Engineering Graduate Functions:
Macclesfield, Liverpool & Cambridge are possible placement locations, and you will rotate around the following engineering functions:
Process Engineer
As a Process Engineer in the pilot plants, you will scale up lab processes safely and compliantly by applying engineering fundamentals, managing hazards via risk assessments, and defining safe operating envelopes. You will assess heat and mass transfer, mixing, and pressure/temperature profiles to prevent runaway reactions, loss of containment, and exposure. You’ll integrate advanced technologies, such as continuous processing, digital monitoring, and modern containment - into pilot activities to improve safety and operability. Day to day, you’ll lead change controls, conduct root cause analysis, and collaborate with operations, engineering, and quality to support safe, reliable, compliant operations.
Facilities Engineer
As a Facilities Engineer, you will ensure site utilities operate within specification and perform reliably, monitoring HVAC, compressed air, clean steam, purified water, chilled water, boilers, and electrical systems to address deviations and maintain compliance and sustainability. You’ll lead improvement initiatives to optimise availability and efficiency, implement corrective actions, and identify opportunities to reduce energy, water, and waste. You’ll also support capital projects by defining scope, coordinating vendors, and overseeing commissioning and validation activities.
Improvement Engineer
As an Improvement Engineer in one of our manufacturing departments, you will drive performance in Safety, Quality, Supply, Cost, and People by executing improvement projects that increase throughput and yield, improve product quality. You’ll own technical governance for Commissioning, Qualification and Validation, ensure data integrity, and oversee quality and compliance such as managing change controls and risk assessments. Day to day, you’ll deliver improvements from minor optimisations to capital introductions, such as reducing process waste, determining labeller throughput, and commissioning new automated lines.
Global Engineering Project Execution
On a Global Engineering Project Execution placement, you will play a key role in delivering major capital projects to the business. You will lead the design, procurement, and delivery of high-value, technically complex equipment packages. Responsibilities include defining scope, aligning stakeholders, setting timelines and success criteria, managing budgets against forecasts, proactively escalating risks, and coordinating with external vendors and suppliers. Depending on the portfolio and project stage, you may also take on other roles across the capital project lifecycle.
Global Engineering Front End Studies
On a Front End Studies placement, you will define the scope and feasibility of future major capital projects by evaluating problem statements and business needs, collaborating with cross-functional experts to gather technical requirements, and researching relevant technologies and processes. You’ll develop and present feasibility reports - detailing execution options, technologies, costs, schedules, and recommendations - to sponsors and senior stakeholders, and author comprehensive reports to enable a smooth transition into subsequent design stages.
What to expect
What you'll do
You'll learn how AstraZeneca needs Engineers to keep the business operating, by being integrated into operational and technical teams across various functions. You’ll manage your own improvement projects, and complete tasks assigned to you working within larger teams. You’ll get to explore many of the diverse functions within the business and can build a global network of colleagues and friends.
Starting in September 2026, our Engineering Graduate Programme consists of three 12-month rotations. Placements could be located at our Macclesfield, Cambridge or Liverpool sites. You’ll be part of a multi-discipline engineering team, and you will have the flexibility to collaborate and provide insight into day-to-day business operations and projects.
What’s next?
Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we’d love to hear from you! During the recruitment process, you may be asked to complete an online assessment. If shortlisted, you will then be invited to an interview day.
