Industrial Maintenance & Reliability Engineer – Drug Product Operations

Hovione is an independent family owned international group of companies. From the beginning, we have set ourselves above and apart through our innovative technological and productive capabilities, reaching a top spot in the world market as an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Company dedicated to helping Pharmaceutical Customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market.

Our people are the main asset for our continued success. Reaching over 1950 team members, from 36 different nationalities, that are located across Asia, Europe and North America (Portugal, US, Macao, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and Switzerland), including 4 production sites.

Working at Hovione means reaching for innovation and excellence in everything we do: for our clients, our partners and, above all, our patients. That is why we are In it for life.

• 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 and maintain maintenance activities within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), preferably SAP PM, ensuring proper documentation and workflow alignment;
• 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;
• 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).

• 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;
• Fluency in Portuguese and English is mandatory, both written and spoken, to ensure effective communication in a global, regulated environment.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. At Hovione, that means a work environment where differences are valued, and everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We want all our team members worldwide to feel supported, respected, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

Notice to Agencies and Search Firms Representatives

Hovione does not accept unsolicited resumes 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.