Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company is offering an Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice role in Macclesfield. This position combines practical experience with academic study, leading to nationally recognized qualifications. You will build skills across various technical areas while working directly on projects. The apprenticeship includes tailored on-the-job training and the chance to rotate across different departments. This is a 4-year Fixed Term Contract with a starting salary of £24,570 plus benefits.

Benefits

11% benefits fund

Bonus

Relocation package for eligible candidates

Responsibilities

• Build core skills across electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and process automation.
• Learn how production equipment and building systems operate.
• Contribute to engineering projects including design, installation and testing.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment through fault finding and diagnosis.
• Rotate across departments for broad exposure and learning.

Skills

Good communication skills

Good team working skills

High organisation skills

Logical thinking

Problem solving

Concerns for standards

High numeracy and literacy skills

Self‑motivation

Education

5 GCSEs (grades 9-4) including English and Maths at grade 5 or above

Minimum of 1 A level or equivalent at Grade C (32 UCAS points)

Job description

Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice

Macclesfield, UK

£24,570+ 11% benefits fund + bonus

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We’re deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds.

A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore.

Embrace the best of both worlds – learn and earn in a supportive team

To truly unlock opportunity in today’s world, you need the combination of education and hands‑on, practical experience that employers are looking for. Our apprenticeships offer just that.

Through our apprenticeship programme, you’ll get stuck in on projects and tasks and earn a competitive salary whilst working towards a degree or qualification. Offering you the best of both worlds and a direct route into the career of your choice.

Shape the future of engineering with AstraZeneca. Our Engineering Apprenticeship develops the technicians and engineers of tomorrow, working with some of the most advanced equipment in the industry to keep our medicines manufactured safely and reliably.

What you’ll do

• Build core skills across electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and process automation, learning to maintain complex equipment to the highest standards of safety, quality and documentation.
• Learn how production equipment and building systems operate, combining theory with hands‑on practice.
• Contribute to engineering projects, including design, installation and testing.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment through fault finding and diagnosis.
• Rotate across departments at our Macclesfield site for broad exposure and diverse learning.

How the programme works

• Year 1: You’ll spend most of your time at college building your theoretical foundation, with practical workshops to develop core skills.
• Years 2-4: You’ll be based on site as part of an engineering team, typically attending college one day per week to continue your studies.
• You’ll receive tailored, on‑the‑job training from in‑house specialists, with a dedicated buddy and mentors to support you throughout.

Study towards nationally recognised qualifications: a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering followed by a Level 4 HNC in Engineering. We’ll consider your entry qualifications and support progression to the next level of study (which may include HND or above).

Why join us

• Real responsibility early on, working on live equipment and projects that make a difference.
• A supportive learning environment, structured training, and clear progression pathways.
• Experience across multiple engineering disciplines in a world‑class pharmaceutical setting.

We truly value Early Talent – their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.

Essential skills/capabilities required

• Good communication skills
• Good team working skills
• High organisation skills and confidence to work independently
• Logical thinking to be able to apply processes
• Have a rational approach to problem solving; making judgements based on sound reasoning, approaching problems in a logical manner
• Concerns for standards
• High numeracy and literacy skills
• Self‑motivation

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSEs (grades 9-4) including English and Maths at grade 5 or above
• To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 1 A level or equivalent at Grade C (32 UCAS points)

This is a 4‑year Fixed Term Contract opportunity based at Macclesfield, offering £24,570 starting base salary + 11% benefits fund + bonus.

Date Posted: 12-Jan-2026

Closing Date: 15-Feb-2026

Successful candidates will be notified after the closing date and will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment day week commencing 9th March 2026.

Start date for the apprenticeship programme is 7th September 2026.

At AstraZeneca, we aim to set you up for success and we recognise the challenges that starting a new job can bring. We therefore offer a relocation package to help with the costs and process of moving for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site location for this Apprenticeship.

These positions are not open to those already educated to Bachelors degree level or above – for which we have specific Graduate Programmes. See our website for more details: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/students

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.