Senior Principal Controls Engineer

Baxter Healthcare; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 128,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage from day 1

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and PTO (20–35 days)

Parental leave

Job summary

Baxter Healthcare in Marion, NC is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer to lead a Controls Engineering team and drive manufacturing capacity analysis, process optimization, and automation initiatives. You will mentor staff and collaborate across functions to deliver high-impact projects.

The role emphasizes troubleshooting, protocol development, and cross-team coordination with a focus on lean manufacturing and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 8+ years in a similar role with electrical/control emphasis.
• 8+ years of Rockwell PLC experience.
• Experience with servo control systems and reading electrical schematics.
• AutoCAD drafting skills and ability to modify/produce drawings.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a Controls Engineering team (3-5 members).
• Provide day-to-day engineering support and technical mentorship.
• Analyze plant manufacturing capacity and optimize processes.
• Lead validation planning and execution using lean methods.
• Coordinate multi-functional teams on projects and new product lines.
• Drive change control activities for equipment and processes.
• Develop protocols and operating instructions for projects.
• Assist service department as SME on equipment issues.

Skills

Rockwell PLC

Servo control

Electrical schematics

AutoCAD drafting

Troubleshooting

C# / C++ (Programming)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

AB500

Safety PLCs

HMI: Allen-Bradley

E-Plan P8

Fieldbus / TCP/IP

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.

This is where your expertise helps people

You are a problem solver. Complex projects or unexpected challenges are just opportunities to bring your considerable abilities to use. Whether working independently or with a trusted team, you are always ready to tackle a project and work hard to find solutions.

Your talent is needed across a wide variety of industries. As a Senior Principal Engineer, you have a wide array of career choices, but are motivated by the opportunity to work in a company that supports innovation, professional development, and a purposeful mission.

When you join us, you will work with a team of committed individuals who trust each other to deliver on the tasks at hand. We support innovation and out-of-the-box thinking balanced with collaboration across functions and other teams. Our leadership understands the need for continuous education and provides opportunities for further development.

As a Senior Principal Engineer, you will have the opportunity to lead by example, and enjoy mentoring and learning from others. Here, you are trusted to manage your own time and are given opportunities to grow your career as you wish.

Your role at Baxter

In this role, you will be responsible for supervising a Controls Engineering Team and providing day to day engineering support. This position also provides technical mentorship to other engineering staff, engineering, and maintenance technicians. The Senior Principal Engineer is tasked with providing analysis of plant manufacturing capacity, process optimization and automation, VIP identification and implementation, process validation planning\execution using lean manufacturing techniques and other problem-solving tools.

What you will be doing

• Develop or participate in the development of solutions to problems for assigned projects.

• Participate in continuous improvement projects.

• Work with manufacturing and other functional groups on manufacturing regulatory compliance issues.

• Write, implement, and report on validation activities.

• Design and perform routine testing, project experiments, and analysis of data and report on results.

• Perform engineering studies on new equipment to resolve accurate settings, control points, etc. including data gathering during start up and test batches.

• Initiate new or revision of protocols/operating instructions specific to the project.

• Perform NCR/CAPA investigations and tasks.

• Lead and complete change control activities related to equipment.

• Perform work assignments within production department that include training and technical support

• Assist service department as an SME and leads equipment and/or process solving efforts as needed.

• Interpret, implement, and recommend modifications to operating policies where appropriate.

• Establish and control capital operating budgets for projects.

• Assist in the design, installation and start-up of new equipment and systems; Perform technical troubleshooting and implement problem resolution for existing and new equipment/systems.

• Coordinate with multi-functional teams (internal and external on projects relating to existing and new product lines; Provide technical mentorship to others.

• Provide leadership, direction, and expertise for sophisticated projects.

• Provide leadership and drive innovation within the plant.

• Supervise 3-5 members of the Controls Engineering team.

Technical Software Skills:

• PLC: Allen-Bradley Control Logix, AB500, Safety PLCs

• HMI: Allen-Bradley

• Communication: Understanding of TCP/IP networks, RS-232 interfaces, Profibus communication, Fieldbus and HSSB

• Electrical: Hands on solving and diagnostic skills, understanding of Category 3 Safety Systems, E-Plan P8, AutoCAD, ability to read /draw schematics

• Familiarity with drives (such as servo and VFD) motion control, encoders, hydraulics, and pneumatics

• Robotics: Fanuc, Yaskawa, Staubli

• Vision Systems: Cognex, Keyence

• Programming (Bonus): C#, C++, VB, SQL Server

What you will bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required (Electrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering preferred)

• 8+ years of experience in a similar role.

• 8+ years of Rockwell PLC experience

• Servo control systems (Rockwell, Yaskawa)

• Ability to read and write electrical schematics

• Hands on mechanical

• AutoCAD drafting

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 $128,000 - $176,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

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.

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.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Baxter has discovered incidents of employment scams, where fraudulent parties pose as Baxter employees, recruiters, or other agents, and engage with online job seekers in an attempt to steal personal and/or financial information. To learn how you can protect yourself, review our Recruitment Fraud Notice.

65 Pitts Station Rd|Marion, NC 28752|United States of America