Principal Engineer

This is where your work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. 

JOB LOCATION: Marion, NC

POSITION: Principal Engineer

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Baxter Healthcare Corporation is seeking a Principal Engineer with the following duties:

• Direct technical strategy for automation and control systems: Define technical vision and provide high-level architectural guidance to ensure all automation and control systems align with long-term business and regulatory strategies;
• Lead full lifecycle of complex projects: Manage advanced automation projects from design and development through validation, commissioning, and launch within highly regulated manufacturing environments;
• Ensure regulatory compliance: Develop and execute all control and automation systems in strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FDA regulations, and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, applied to pharmaceutical industry;
• Administer and architect robust network and control platforms: Manage FactoryTalk Services Platform and configure industrial networks, including implementing secure network segmentation with Allen-Bradley Stratix switches;
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies: Research, recommend, and integrate advanced "smart factory" technologies, including robotics, data analytics, and proprietary machinery, to optimize processes;
• Manage external vendors and project risks: Oversee the selection and negotiation with vendors, and identify and mitigate technical risks in project design and execution;
• Guide and mentor engineering teams: Provide technical leadership to guide root cause investigations, support continuous improvement, and resolve complex equipment issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering or a related field plus 5 years of related experience  
• Will accept any level of experience in the following skills:
  • Coordinate resource allocation and technical execution for all projects within the manufacturing environment, ensuring compliance with all regulatory guidelines;
  • Integrate and validate GMP protocols into project plans and processes to ensure compliance with industry regulations and maintain product quality;
  • Develop and integrate Human-Machine Interface (HMI)(Allen-Bradley, Iconics) for operational control and visualization;
  • Validate and implement machine-level safety control solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing, specifically using Allen-Bradley technologies to achieve SIL 3 certification;
  • Execute software/hardware integration tests to validate system functionality using Rockell Platform;
  • Program and commission Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMIs using industry-standard platforms (Allen-Bradley);
  • Configure and integrate industrial vision systems (Cognex) for quality control and process verification;
  • Program and deploy industrial robotic systems including Staubli, Fanuc, and Yaskawa for manufacturing automation;
  • Lead control validation activities, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and pharma qualification protocols (IQ, OQ, PQ);
  • Supervise cross-functional engineering teams, including mechatronics and control system programmers, for projects within a pharmaceutical setting; Verify mechanical drawings for conformance to design intent, tolerances, and quality standards for all manufacturing runs;
  • Diagnose and resolve complex system issues in automated equipment, including Rockwell PLCs and drives;
  • Review and verify engineering designs and electrical diagrams to identify potential risks and ensure system integrity, a critical step in the execution of projects for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• 10% domestic and international travel required for training and to validate new equipment.

Competitive compensation and benefits.

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career.  At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all our employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.  To that end, this position has a base salary range of $147,014 - $168,000 plus an annual incentive bonus. The above range represents the expected base salary range for this position.  The actual salary may vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills/experience, time in the role, business line, and geographic/office location.

Qualified applicants can apply directly to the Baxter Website at: jobs.baxter.com. Please search job JR-196921 EOE

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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