Engineering Work Experience

Year 12 Work Experience Programme Engineering - Macclesfield About Astra Zeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Disease, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology.

Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca has a strong global presence with 6 strategic R&D centres in the US, UK, Sweden and China, and 30 manufacturing sites across 17 countries. Its innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide.

Our R&D focuses on delivering life‑changing medicines for today’s highest unmet medical needs and investing in transformative technologies to pioneer next‑generation solutions for tomorrow and the day after. By partnering across industries and borders, we collaborate and pursue opportunities to access the best science, fostering innovation and co‑creating solutions that meet patients’ needs.

We create great employee experiences that ignite innovation, unite diverse talent and unlock capacity. We do this by being champions of inclusion and diversity and fostering personal growth and enterprise leadership.

During the work experience placement, you will experience:

• An introduction to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Application of STEM subjects to drug development.
• Tours of our world‑class Engineering, Utility, and Manufacturing facilities.
• Practical experience of the development of an Engineering project.
• Career advice from those currently working for AstraZeneca, plus a chance to chat with the current cohort of the apprenticeship scheme, industrial placement, and graduates.

An understanding of the variety of engineering roles required to support the Research, Development, Manufacturing, Testing and Release of Drug Product to a global market.

Including but not limited to:

• Project Engineering
• Sustainability, Utilities and Energy Management
• Engineering Design
• , Scheduling and Control
• Engineering career paths and opportunities within a pharmaceutical organisation.
• An understanding of AstraZeneca’s commitments to sustainability and the criticality of the role of Engineering to support a Carbon Zero ambition.
• Awareness of roles based on STEM in AstraZeneca and the different entry points.
• Application and development of STEM knowledge and skills.
• Experience the workplace environment whilst making new friends.

• Working on live plant and equipment, including Chemical Engineering experiences.
• Hands‑on Engineering activities.

AstraZeneca has an exciting opportunity for 2 x one‑week unpaid work experience placements based at our Macclesfield site. The placement dates are as follows.

• Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July 2026
• Monday 13th July to Friday 17th July 2026

Please indicate your preferred week when making your application.

Working hours will be 9 am to 4 pm*

(
* Monday will be 8:30 am start to allow time to register with reception)

To be eligible to apply, students must be in Year 12, studying an Engineering‑related subject and wanting to have a career based around STEM.

Please complete the application questionnaire and attach a copy of your CV.

Applications will close on 15 February 2026

#Early talent

Date Posted 09-Jan-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.