Automation & OT 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Automation & OT Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, qualification, and lifecycle management of industrial automation hardware and operational technology systems. This role ensures robust, safe, and compliant operation of process equipment through high‑quality hardware engineering, reliable control systems, and secure OT–IT network integration.

Key Responsibilities

Automation Hardware & Control Systems

• Design, implement and qualify automation hardware , including control cabinets, electrical schematics, instrumentation interfaces, and field wiring.
• Develop and maintain electrical diagrams and ensure compliance with internal standards and industrial regulations.
• Execute full lifecycle management of automation hardware, including migration of obsolete systems , redesign, implementation, testing, and qualification.
• Select, program and integrate industrial controllers (PLCs, PACs) ensuring robust communication with sensors, actuators and supervisory systems.

Network & Infrastructure

• Design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot industrial control networks , including Profibus, Profinet, Fieldbus and other OT communication protocols.
• Manage and maintain OT servers , industrial HMIs, historians, and local automation infrastructure.
• Ensure reliable and secure IT–OT network integration , working in alignment with corporate cybersecurity and infrastructure policies.
• Maintain the overall automation and OT infrastructure , ensuring availability, performance, and resilience.

Systems Integration & Data Management

• Implement and optimize Process and Equipment Automation Systems , including user interfaces, data acquisition layers, and OT–IT interfaces.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and apply ETL techniques to convey automation data to higher‑level informatics systems.
• Develop specific applications for event notifications , automatic reporting , and process insights .
• Collect, analyze, and report process data to support daily operational decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Advanced Automation & Industry 4.0

• Contribute to and lead Industry 4.0 initiatives, fostering technological innovation such as:
• Augmented Reality
• Digital Twins
• Asset Management Systems
• IoT platforms
• Advanced Data Analytics
• Optimization algorithms and models
• Robotics prototypes and scalability assessments
• Map business and operational processes, proposing optimizations and automating repetitive tasks through RPA and intelligent automation tools.

Operations Support & Compliance

• Provide technical support for operations, maintenance, and cross‑disciplinary engineering teams.
• Implement code changes under change control and ensure compliance with GMP, HSE , and regulatory guidelines.
• Support inspections and audits, including documentation preparation and subject‑matter expertise.
• Ensure assigned tasks are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, and with cost‑effectiveness in mind.
• Promote the implementation and maintenance of company procedures, quality systems, and safety practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University, or equivalent, qualification in Electrical Engineering or similar scientific field (mandatory)
• Strong understanding and knowledge of PLC’s, HMI’s and SCADA
• Broad knowledge in scripting languages (eg. Python, R or similar)
• Knowledge in database technologies (eg. SQL, Oracle)
• Experience in systems simulation (eg. discrete‑event simulation) strong understanding and knowledge of control systems.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of IT/OT Service Management (knowledge in cybersecurity and communication protocols such as OPC)
• Relevant experience in IT/OT Infrastructure administration or as a helpdesk or IT Technician with technical qualifications in multiple IT/OT infrastructure disciplines.
• Fluency in English is a requirement
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of the MS Office package
• Must have the Knowledge, Experience and Skills to conduct their tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures set down

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.

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