Laboratory Automation Engineer – Pharmaceutical Sciences

Do you have expertise in and passion for developing and deploying lab automation to accelerate drug development in the pharmaceutical industry? Join AstraZeneca and use your expertise to implement transformative automated methodologies closely integrated with data‑driven & AI approaches and help deliver life‑changing medicines to patients worldwide. This is not just a role – it's your opportunity to transform the future of medicine and improve millions of lives.

AstraZeneca is a global science‑driven Bio Pharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Ultimately our aim is to work towards a cure for some of the world’s most complex diseases. Whether that’s by shaping the patient ecosystem and focusing on outcomes or by progressing potential medicines and accelerating their launch.

At AstraZeneca, Pharmaceutical Sciences delivers the therapies of the future through scientific leadership in drug delivery design of synthetic routes and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug essence. We work from molecule to medicine to develop medicines for our patients today and tomorrow.

The PSDA department leads the digital transformation of Pharmaceutical Sciences to drive innovation, optimise drug development and enable data‑ and predict‑first driven decisions. We develop and apply computational chemistry, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies – coupled with user‑centric informatics for seamless data capture, integration, insight and prediction. This is coupled with strong leadership and expertise to advance lab and process automation all to accelerate projects.

We’re looking for a highly skilled and motivated Laboratory Automation Engineer to join our Automation Team within PSDA in Macclesfield, UK.

You would work across Pharmaceutical Sciences and join a newly formed and highly collaborative team and help us develop solutions for automation to take substance and product development to a next level in terms of efficiency and innovation. We work within the early portfolio from pre‑clinical to clinical phase.

To be successful in this role you will need expertise in implementation of automation, preferably in a life‑science setting. Good skills in written and verbal communication and the ability to engage and collaborate across boundaries with a positive problem‑solving attitude and delivery focus.

This is an expert role where you will work collaboratively with many colleagues, driving and championing the implementation of automated workflows. You will get the opportunity to apply your expert skills in a highly advanced research environment contributing to the progression of drug development projects and drive the efficiency and science within the field of pharmaceutical science at AstraZeneca.

Please note this role has a requirement to be onsite 4 days per week / 80% overall.

• University degree (MSc or PhD) in a relevant discipline preferable with industry experience.
• Documented expertise in practical/hands‑on implementation of automation (liquid handling robotics, sample preparation, chemistry automation etc.).
• Very good knowledge of solutions available for laboratory automation.
• Knowledge and experience of end‑to‑end automated integrated workflows.
• You should be ready to champion and drive automation.
• Strong ambition to develop yourself and others.

• Experience of drug product development.
• Skilled in programming of automation software.
• Track record of driving scientific projects and publications.
• Knowledge and experience of working according to GxP.

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life‑changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. Ultimately it’s more than a job. We know that our work impacts people with serious conditions many of whom have no other alternatives. That’s what drives our potential to impact over one billion patients worldwide.

Macclesfield, UK

Competitive. Excellent Benefits.

Interviews will be held continuously but no later than 15 February 2026.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations please complete the section in the application form.