Process Control Technician

ASTRAZENECA UK LIMITED; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

ASTRAZENECA UK LIMITED in Macclesfield seeks a hands-on instrument and control systems technician to maintain and improve process instrumentation, calibration, and diagnostic capabilities. You will diagnose faults across PLC, DCS, SCADA and field devices, perform planned maintenance, update documentation, and support change-control processes while collaborating with Engineering, QA and site teams.

The role offers opportunities to develop multiskilled capability and contribute to reliability,

Qualifications

• Recognised technical apprenticeship or equivalent qualification.
• Practical knowledge of process measurement, calibration, instrument tolerances and traceability.
• Experience fault-finding PLC-based control systems with field devices and reading diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance safely, on schedule.
• Diagnose faults and respond to equipment breakdowns, improving availability.
• Maintain calibration records, instrument data sheets, loop drawings and control narratives.
• Perform instrument loop checks, functional testing and verify alarms/trips.
• Support PLC, DCS and HMI changes and change-control processes.
• Mentor less experienced technicians and train new starters.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality Assurance and other site teams.

Skills

Instrumentation & control

Fault diagnosis

Calibration methods

P&ID interpretation

Documentation & SAP

Continuous improvement

Education

NVQ Level 3 / HNC or equivalent (instrumentation, control, electrical)

Tools

PLC fault-finding

Job description

Are you ready to assist in maintaining essential utilities and engineering systems running safely, optimally and efficiently?, In this hands‑on role, you'll maintain and improve the instrumentation, automation and process control systems that our site relies on every day. You'll calibrate instruments, diagnose control‑system faults, respond to breakdowns, support the introduction and qualification of new equipment, and identify opportunities to improve reliability, compliance and process performance. You'll bring expertise in your own engineering field while building your skills across other areas. We'll give you opportunities to learn, develop and make a real contribution to how we maintain and improve our engineering systems.

What you'll do:

• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance safely, optimally and on schedule
• Diagnose faults and respond to equipment breakdowns, helping improve availability
• Maintain engineering documentation and complete SAP notifications accurately and on time
• Maintain calibration records, instrument data sheets, loop drawings, cause‑and‑effect information, control narratives, software records and asset history in accordance with data-integrity and document-control requirements
• Perform planned and corrective calibration of process instrumentation, including pressure, temperature, flow, level, analytical and control devices, using traceable standards and approved procedures
• Complete instrument loop checks, functional testing, equipment set‑up and verification of alarms, trips, interlocks and permissives, recording results accurately and resolving defects
• Diagnose faults across PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI and BMS control systems, field instrumentation, I/O, industrial networks and final control elements
• Support authorised PLC, DCS and HMI configuration changes, software backups and restoration, ensuring changes are tested, documented and completed through approved change‑control processes
• Identify equipment performance or compliance issues and raise them appropriately
• Use engineering data to identify trends, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement
• Support and lead continuous improvement activities and engineering projects
• Use tools and methodologies including LEAN, TPM, RCM, RCA and CBM
• Follow change control processes and safe systems of work
• Support, train and mentor less experienced technicians, operators and new starters
• Work closely alongside colleagues from Engineering, Quality Assurance, and other site teams
• Maintain your own technical, SHE and GMP training while continuing to develop your multiskilled engineering capability.

The systems you could work with:

• HV and LV electrical distribution and emergency backup systems
• Electrical inspections
• Fire alarm and fire protection systems
• Process instrumentation and final control elements, including transmitters, analysers, switches, control valves, actuators and variable-speed drives
• PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI and building management systems, including associated I/O, panels, communications and industrial networks
• Automated control loops, alarms, trips, interlocks, permissives, safety-related controls and equipment condition‑monitoring systems
• Gas alarm systems
• Compressed air
• Steam and condensate
• Water systems.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• A recognised technical apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3, HNC or equivalent qualification in instrumentation, control, electrical/electronic engineering or a closely related discipline, supported by practical industrial experience
• Practical knowledge of process measurement principles, calibration methods, instrument tolerances, traceability, loop checking and the interpretation of calibration results
• Experience fault‑finding PLC-based control systems and associated field devices, with the ability to use logic, I/O status, trends, drawings and technical documentation to identify root causes safely
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, loop drawings, control narratives, alarm schedules and cause‑and‑effect documentation
• Knowledge of GxP procedures and Safety, Health and Environment requirements
• Good English language skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the assurance to collaborate with colleagues across the business
• Good organisational skills and capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high standards
• Skill in balancing competing priorities while handling a varied workload
• A proactive approach and willingness to support the wider team
• The confidence to work through changing priorities and ambiguity.

It would be great if you also have:

• A similar manufacturing or pharmaceutical environment
• Project planning
• Project coordination and guiding transitions
• Influencing and facilitation
• End-to-end supply chain processes
• Systems such as EUSAP or Coupa
• Microsoft Office, including Word, presentation software, and Excel., This is an opportunity to apply your engineering skills in a varied role. You can solve problems, improve performance, and help keep essential site systems operating effectively.

We value people who share ideas, work collaboratively and look for better ways of doing things. You'll have the opportunity to grow your technical capability, broaden your experience and contribute to improvement projects across Engineering. Ready to bring your engineering expertise to our team? We'd love to hear from you.