Job Description

Join a Market Leader

At Hovione, we help partners turn scientific innovation into medicines that reach patients around the world. For more than 65 years, we have connected science and technology to scale complex ideas into high-quality and innovative solutions that truly make a difference.

As an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), we support the development and manufacture of drug substances, intermediates and drug products across the full life cycle. We are globally recognized for our leadership in specialized technologies such as Spray Drying and Continuous Tableting. But what truly sets us apart is not just what we do — it is how we do it: with purpose, care, collaboration and a deep commitment to doing the right things right.

Our people are the reason for our success. We are a global and diverse team of more than 2,600 team members across Europe, the USA and Asia, bringing together different experiences and perspectives to help our partners to overcome complex challenges. We believe that an inclusive environment — where everyone, regardless of background, identity or ability, is respected, heard and empowered to contribute — is essential to drive innovation, ensure quality, and secure long‑term sustainable success.

And as we grow, so do the opportunities for our people to develop, broaden their perspectives and build meaningful careers. Because at Hovione, better starts with those who choose to make a difference every day. Will you be one of them?

You will be responsible to:

• Develop and implement asset management strategies for critical equipment, including PMP, critical spare part identification, and optimization of spare part inventories. Ensure up-to-date and accurate equipment BOM.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for equipment malfunctions; perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to minimize downtime.
• Integrate maintenance activities into the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), preferably SAP PM, ensuring proper documentation and workflow.
• Support drug product manufacturing operations, providing technical expertise to ensure equipment reliability in a GMP-regulated environment (experience in pharmaceutical or biotech operations is strongly preferred).
• Apply Reliability engineering methodologies, including RBI (Risk-Based Inspection), RCM (Reliability-Centered Maintenance), and SIL (Safety Integrity Level).
• Use data-driven decision-making to analyze equipment performance trends, conduct lifecycle assessments, and propose overhaul or replacement strategies for underperforming assets.
• Define, monitor, and continuously improve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for maintenance and reliability, aligned with operational excellence targets.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using industry best practices and digital tools to enhance asset reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize cost.
• Ensure strict compliance with cGMP regulations, internal quality systems, and safety protocols. Supervise and audit third-party service providers to ensure alignment with site standards.
• Plan, execute, and document all assigned tasks in alignment with project timelines, safety standards, and quality expectations.
• Propose and implement innovative solutions to increase equipment performance, reduce maintenance burden, and support overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Apply condition-based maintenance (CBM) techniques, including vibration analysis, thermography, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for piping and welding assessments.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with local legislation, including DL 191/2019 and DL 50/2005 (Portugal-specific if applicable).

We are looking to recruit a Candidate:

• Fluency in Portuguese and English is mandatory, both written and spoken, to ensure effective communication in a global, regulated environment.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering (or related field).
• 3–7 years of experience in pharmaceutical or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in SAP PM, CMMS systems, and Microsoft Office suite; experience with data visualization tools (e.g. Power BI) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA), validation processes, and documentation.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate across functions including Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering.
• Certifications in maintenance or reliability (e.g., CMRP, Six Sigma, PMP) are a plus.
• Actively participate in internal and external audits, as well as regular client visits, representing the maintenance and reliability function and ensuring availability of technical documentation and compliance evidence.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodation or support during the application or interview process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.

Notice to Agencies and Search Firms RepresentativesHovione does not accept unsolicited résumes from agencies or search firms for this job posting. Any resumes submitted to Hovione by a third-party agency or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement will become the sole property of Hovione. No fees will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited referral. Thank you for your understanding.