Principle Maintenance Technician

Baxter International Inc.; Mountain Home (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Baxter International Inc. in Mountain Home, AR, is seeking a Principle Maintenance Technician to safeguard manufacturing operations.

You will troubleshoot, maintain, and repair automated equipment, lead contractors, and collaborate across engineering, quality, and purchasing to keep production running smoothly. Requires strong PLC knowledge, GMP, and hands-on mechanical and electrical skills, plus at least high school diploma and 10 years of experience (or 3 years as PMT).

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or GED.
• Technical associate’s degree (2-year) preferred but not required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience or 3 years serving as a Principle Maintenance Technician (PMT).
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on automated production machinery.
• Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Lead contractors and maintenance techs on projects.
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems.
• Train new maintenance staff.
• Ensure GMP compliance and safety.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Self-motivated

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical associate degree (2-year) preferred

10 years of relevant experience or PMT experience

Tools

PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley)

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical fabrication/tools

Welding / shop equipment

GMP compliance

Job description

This is whereyour 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. At Baxter Healthcare Corporation, we are committed to supporting plant production by troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and systems. As a Principle Maintenance Technician, you will play a crucial role in ensuring our operations run seamlessly, encouraging innovation, and applying preventative maintenance procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on automated production machinery to reduce equipment downtime and meet production schedules.
• Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance to ensure equipment availability.
• Focus on process and equipment improvement and innovation.
• Comprehend regulatory and documentation procedures to initiate and fully implement new manufacturing processes and equipment, or modifications with minimal supervision.
• Work in close partnership with production, quality, engineering, drafting, purchasing, and suppliers to aid plant operations and capital projects.
• Investigate root cause technical issues and work independently or in a team to mitigate them.
• Seek opportunities for improvement for the company, the plant, co‑workers, and yourself. Engage and empower others while improving your own abilities.
• Lead contractors and maintenance techs with minimal engineering support on projects.
• Train new and upcoming maintenance techs in all aspects of their job and develop their project management skills.
• Self‑educate and participate in implementing brand new maintenance/manufacturing practices.
• Drive innovation and build complex solutions for engineering design challenges.
• Carry out engineering tasks routinely to support plant objectives.

Qualifications

• Work safely and be trained in all appropriate plant safety programs.
• Partner with engineering to develop solutions for new equipment and processes. Specify and develop control architecture. Build and layout control solutions. Apply new technology to drive innovation. Direct support personnel and contractors during projects.
• Perform equipment relocations. Crate or uncrate parts. Make mechanical adjustments and alignments. Identify and order spare parts. Document all work. Clean up before leaving. Keep the shop clean. Attend trainings and meetings.
• Participate in projects and upgrades, manage a basic project budget, and have P-Card and/or Travel Card responsibilities.
• Be proficient in technical drawings and schematics for electrical, mechanical, pneumatics, and hydraulics.
• Work with suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Lead a technical team to implement new processes.
• Electrical: Troubleshoot, repair, and collaborate with automated equipment, modify, or write new software using programmable logic controllers (PLC) systems (Siemens, Allen Bradley, etc.).
• Electrical: Implement new PLC controllers and software to improve reliability, quality, and efficiency.
• Electrical: Troubleshoot/repair photo eyes, limit and proximity switches, temperature controllers, variable speed drives, motors, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical systems up to 480V, 3 phase, component level repair of obsolete control components.
• Mechanical: Work well with hand tools, understand gearbox and conveyor systems, fabricate, operate skyjack, scissor lift, forklift, counterbalance, ladder work. Welding, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC a plus.
• Mechanical: Knowledge of Hepa filtration systems, UV light systems, appliance repair is a plus.
• Have cross‑functional expertise (i.e., electrical/controls/mechanical).
• Mechanical: Fabrication experience (welding, basic shop activities).
• Apply GMP to daily routine.
• Identify and troubleshoot/accurate Hazard IDs.
• Lead contractors or other maintenance techs on projects.
• Ensure contractors follow GMP, safety rules, and have training to work in the facility.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Be self‑motivated, continuously improve, and find work that needs to be done.

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum high school diploma or GED, or equivalent experience, required.
• Technical associate’s degree (2-year) preferred but not required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience or proven expertise is required, or 3 years serving as a Principle Maintenance Technician (PMT).
• Strong communication skills.

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 employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $60,000 - $75,000 annually. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We cannot sponsor or transfer sponsorship of an employment visa.

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.

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.

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally.