Engineering Technician

Engineering Technician Opportunity at AstraZeneca, Macclesfield: A Career Advancement Review

This review provides potential candidates with an in-depth look at the Engineering Technician position at AstraZeneca's Macclesfield campus, highlighting its unique advantages and crucial considerations for career growth. AstraZeneca's commitment to putting patients first and striving to meet unmet medical needs worldwide forms the bedrock of this dynamic opportunity.

What Makes This Role Exciting?

This isn't just another engineering role; it's a chance to contribute to a globally significant site that supplies products for numerous AstraZeneca therapy areas. The Macclesfield campus is undergoing substantial investment, offering an exceptional environment to experience rapid growth and change within a fast-paced, dynamic setting. As an Engineering Technician, you will be instrumental in ensuring production demands are met during this exciting period of evolution.

The core of this role involves delivering and sustaining business objectives through your expertise in Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation engineering. You'll be responsible for maintaining equipment and systems, resolving critical issues, and driving improvements, all while upholding the highest standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE), and financial requirements.

Key Responsibilities and Career Development Opportunities:

• Equipment Maintenance and Calibration: You will maintain and calibrate manufacturing equipment and support systems, adhering to stringent maintenance strategies and schedules within a controlled GMP environment. This offers a unique rigour and methodical approach to your work, fostering a deep understanding of operational integrity.
• Problem Solving and Downtime Reduction: By providing excellent customer service and maximizing equipment availability, you'll respond promptly to breakdowns and offer effective feedback. Your systematic fault-finding and problem-solving skills will be vital in understanding downtime causes, identifying maintenance improvements, and driving asset uptime through detailed investigations and closure actions. This directly impacts operational efficiency and career advancement through visible problem-solving successes.
• System Setup and Mentorship: Timely and accurate setup of systems and equipment will ensure alignment with operational parameters and statutory requirements. Furthermore, you'll have the opportunity to lead formal and informal training for less experienced Technicians and mentor Operators, enhancing asset performance. This leadership and knowledge-sharing aspect is invaluable for developing your coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• Continuous Improvement: Utilizing lean manufacturing tools like Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM), you'll actively participate in and lead continuous improvement initiatives and projects. Collaborating with engineering colleagues to support change initiatives will hone your teamwork and communication skills, essential for driving business improvements.
• Compliance and Regulation: Operating within a highly compliant and regulated pharmaceutical industry, you will ensure strict adherence to GMP and SHE regulations. This experience is crucial for building a strong foundation in regulatory environments.

What AstraZeneca is Looking For (Essential Requirements):

• A recognized apprenticeship in Engineering.
• An HNC (or equivalent) in an electrical or multiskilled engineering field.
• Proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience in fault finding within electrical services.
• Knowledge of work planning and control principles, with the ability to manage your own workload effectively.
• A demonstrated ability to determine the root cause of breakdowns and implement preventative actions.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing tools and maintenance processes (e.g., 5S, RCM, TPM).
• The capacity to coach and train operational teams.
• Good working knowledge of computer systems such as SAP, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Operating knowledge of procedures and compliance with GMP & SHE requirements.

Desirable, But Not Essential:

• IEE/IET 18th Edition certification.
• PLC fault-finding experience.
• Experience working within the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Investment in Talent: The significant investment in the Macclesfield site signifies a commitment to growth and innovation, creating long-term opportunities for skilled professionals.
• Dynamic Environment: This is a fast-moving and evolving workplace. If you thrive on change, enjoy tackling new challenges, and are eager to learn, this role is ideal.
• Professional Development: AstraZeneca is renowned for its commitment to training and development. This role offers phenomenal opportunities to expand your technical skillset, gain exposure to advanced manufacturing processes, and develop leadership capabilities.
• Shift Work and Compensation: The position involves shift work, which includes a shift allowance, offering a competitive compensation package. The specifics of the rota will be discussed during the interview process.
• Company Culture: AstraZeneca fosters a culture of ambition, collaboration, and curiosity. They actively encourage bold thinking and recognize the power of diverse teams in achieving breakthroughs. While emphasizing in-person working for collaboration, they also value individual flexibility.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Beyond a competitive salary, candidates can expect comprehensive benefits, including private healthcare, a generous holiday allowance, and extensive training and development opportunities.
• Inclusive Environment: AstraZeneca is dedicated to building an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone feels they belong. They welcome applications from all qualified candidates and offer reasonable adjustments and accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

In Summary:

The Engineering Technician role at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield is a compelling opportunity for motivated individuals looking to advance their careers within a leading global pharmaceutical company. It offers a blend of technical challenge, continuous learning, and the chance to make a tangible difference in patient lives. If you are a results-oriented, collaborative, and curious engineering professional, this position presents an excellent platform for significant career growth.