Senior Construction Engineer

Join a Market Leader

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.

You will be responsible to:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Construction Engineer to lead the execution of complex construction and installation activities within a cGMP-regulated environment.

You will be responsible for delivering facilities, utilities, and equipment installations that meet technical, regulatory, and operational requirements—ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and fully compliant.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate construction, installation, and commissioning activities on site
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, FDA, HSE, and internal standards throughout execution
• Contribute to design reviews (URS, specifications) to ensure constructability and readiness
• Develop and manage execution plans, schedules, and resource allocation
• Define scope and collaborate with EPCM partners and Construction Management (CM) organizations
• Oversee contractors and external partners, ensuring safe, high-quality execution
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and proactively address deviations and issues
• Support execution of commissioning activities and related documentation
• Ensure effective change control and deviation management
• Drive construction readiness and site coordination
• Support handover to operations, ensuring systems are ready for qualification and use
• Participate in audits and inspections (internal, client, regulatory)
• Contribute to continuous improvement, lessons learned, and standardization

We are looking to recruit a Candidate:

• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil or equivalent)
• 8–12+ years of experience in construction, installation, or project execution within GxP-regulated environments (pharma, biotech, or similar)
• Proven experience in capital projects and working with multidisciplinary and international teams
• Experience with EPCM companies and defining Construction Management scope
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, ISPE, ICH, ISO standards, and construction practices
• Solid understanding of mechanical systems, E&I, utilities, and facilities
• Experience in commissioning; exposure to qualification (C&Q) is a plus
• Experience in engineering design is a plus
• Familiarity with change control, risk management, and deviation processes
• Proficiency with engineering and digital tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Navisworks, Autodesk Construction Cloud or similar)
• Strong project execution skills: planning, contractor management, and cost awareness
• Proven ability to solve complex technical challenges on site
• Strong focus on HSE, quality, and compliance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Fluency in English and ability to communicate in Portuguese

 

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.