Laboratory Automation Engineer - Pharmaceutical Sciences

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Laboratory Automation Engineer in Macclesfield, UK. This role requires developing automation solutions to enhance drug delivery and product development. Candidates should have an MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline, with hands-on experience in implementing automation technologies. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential. The position requires onsite presence 4 days a week. This is an exciting opportunity to impact patients' lives through innovative drug development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

Qualifications

• Expertise in implementation of automation in a life science setting.
• Documented expertise in laboratory automation.
• Strong ambition to develop yourself and others.

Responsibilities

• Develop solutions for automation to enhance substance and product development.
• Collaborate across teams to drive automated workflows.
• Contribute to drug development projects.

Skills

Practical implementation of automation

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

University degree (MSc, PhD) in relevant discipline

Tools

Liquid handling robotics

Chemistry automation

Automation software programming

Job description

Overview

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 isn’t just a role, it’s your opportunity to transform the future of medicine and improve millions of lives.

What we do

AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven BioPharmaceutical 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.

Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca delivers the therapies of the future through scientific leadership in drug delivery, design of synthetic routes, and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and drug products. In essence, we are working “from molecule to medicine” to develop medicines for our patients today and tomorrow.

The Predictive Science, Digital, and Automation (PSDA) department leads the digital transformation of Pharmaceutical Sciences to drive innovation, optimize 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.

The role

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.

Required qualifications, skills and experience

• University degree (MSc, PhD) in 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

If you also have experience in one or more of the following areas – great!

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

Why AstraZeneca

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 us – the potential to impact over one billion patients worldwide.

Location

Location: Macclesfield UK

Salary

Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits

If you are interested, apply now! We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible, since interviews will be held continuously, but no later than 15 February 2026

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media,

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

02-Feb-2026

Closing Date

15-Feb-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. 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.