Principal Engineer

Baxter International Inc. • Marion, NC

1d

About The Position

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 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
• 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

Responsibilities

• Direct technical strategy for automation and control systems
• Lead full lifecycle of complex projects
• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Administer and architect robust network and control platforms
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies
• Manage external vendors and project risks
• Guide and mentor engineering teams

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level