IT/OT Senior Network Engineer

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.

Manages the IT infrastructure within Hovione, including the physical network as well as server applications and software. Configures, installs, maintains and upgrades server applications and hardware.

Key Responsibilities

Network Design & Architecture

• Design and develop enterprise network solutions (LAN, WAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, VPN) to support current and future business needs.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance network performance, scalability, and security.
• Maintain up-to-date network architecture documentation and standards.

Deployment & Operations

• Configure and deploy routers, switches, access points, and firewalls across global sites.
• Validate and ensure all network equipment is properly staged, tested, and ready for deployment.
• Operate independently in remote locations to establish full connectivity for users.

Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide Tier 3 support for complex network issues and outages.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network incidents both independently and collaboratively.
• Monitor network performance and proactively address potential issues.

Security & Compliance

• Implement and maintain network security controls (e.g., firewalls, segmentation, NAC).
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, GxP, and cybersecurity standards.
• Support audits and risk assessments in collaboration with the InfoSec team.

Project & Vendor Management

• Lead or support global infrastructure projects, including expansions, upgrades, and integrations.
• Collaborate with vendors and partners to deliver high-quality solutions on time and within budget.

Documentation & Governance

• Maintain accurate network diagrams, configurations, and operational procedures.
• Enforce change management and documentation standards.

OT Network Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure and reliable OT (Operational Technology) network infrastructure across manufacturing and production environments.
• Ensure seamless integration between IT and OT networks while maintaining appropriate segmentation and security controls.
• Collaborate with automation, engineering, and manufacturing teams to support OT systems such as SCADA, PLCs, and MES.
• Monitor and troubleshoot OT network performance and connectivity issues, ensuring minimal disruption to production operations.
• Support compliance with industry standards and regulations related to OT environments, including cybersecurity and GxP requirements.

Education

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience

• 10+ years in IT, with 5–7 years in network engineering and support.
• Plus for experience working with OT Environments including SCADA, PLCs, MES, and industrial control systems.
• Proven experience in global enterprise environments.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and Meraki wireless networks.
• Experience with SASE, cloud networking (AWS, Azure), and server virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V) is a plus.
• Experience in pharmaceutical and/or manufacturing environments is preferred.

Certifications

• Current CCNP preferred; other relevant certifications (e.g., CCIE, Fortinet NSE, Azure Network Engineer) are a plus.

Organizational Context

• Team Size: 11 members (Network team: 2 people)
• Reports indirectly to: Jorge Rebelo, Digital Infrastructure Manager
• Flexible hybrid model: minimum one day/week onsite (Monday), plus as needed
• Location: Hovione Lumiar

Technologies: Cisco, Palo Alto, Checkpoint, Azure Network, AWS Network, Meraki, IPBL and Call Manager

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.