Senior Principal Controls Engineer,

About the role

Your role at Baxter: In this role, you will support process and automation improvements within a manufacturing site. You will collaborate with Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Quality to drive improved performance of production equipment. You will be responsible for delivering equipment that supports process reliability, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and plant-wide efficiency, while ensuring process design and operation consistently meet Engineering and Quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Support daily operations by identifying control system improvements, addressing obsolescence risks, and enhancing equipment reliability.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies that align with site priorities and long term business goals.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment at the machine and system level to improve throughput, uptime, and repeatability.
• Advance the site’s digital transformation through automation, data integration, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and compliance teams to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Author, execute, and report on validation activities, including test protocols.
• Lead NCR/CAPA investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Own change control activities related to equipment and process modifications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for equipment troubleshooting and process performance issues.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and innovation on complex engineering initiatives that advance plant capability.
• Direct oversight of employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline preferred). 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment. Ability to work in a Penicillin/Cephalosporin facility. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; Baxter is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Skills

• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, safety standards, and validation practices.
• Experience with automation platforms, including Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix PLCs and Safety PLCs.
• Proficiency with Allen‑Bradley HMIs, Fanuc/Staubli robotics, Cognex/Keyence vision systems, and Rockwell/Yaskawa servo systems.
• Familiarity with motion control, VFDs, encoders, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Hands‑on mechanical proficiency; experience with Serialization and SCADA systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated capability in developing and performing validation protocols.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI‑based vision and robotics.
• Exposure to Six Sigma, DFSS, and Voice of Customer methodologies.

Pay

The estimated base salary for this position is $128,000 - $176,000 annually. The position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

Benefits

Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. 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