Senior Principal Controls Engineer

Baxter International Inc.; Round Lake (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Job summary

Baxter International Inc. is seeking a seasoned engineer to drive process and automation improvements across a manufacturing site.

You will collaborate with Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Quality to enhance equipment reliability and support Industry 4.0 initiatives while ensuring compliance with Engineering and Quality standards. Responsibilities include leading validation activities, NCR/CAPA investigations, and change control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience in Penicillin/Cephalosporin facilities is preferred.
• Onsite, full-time role with <10% travel.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, safety standards, and validation practices.
• Experience with automation platforms and Rockwell/ABB systems.

Responsibilities

• Identify control system improvements, address obsolescence risks, and enhance equipment reliability.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies aligned with site priorities and long-term goals.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment to improve throughput, uptime, and repeatability.
• Advance digital transformation through automation, data integration, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and compliance teams to ensure regulatory adherence.
• Author, execute, and report on validation activities, including test protocols.
• Lead NCR/CAPA investigations and implement CAPA actions.
• Own change control activities related to equipment and process modifications.
• Provide SME guidance on equipment troubleshooting and process performance issues.
• Lead complex engineering initiatives to advance plant capability and oversight of staff.

Job description

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.

What you'll be doing

• 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.

What you'll bring

• 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.
• Onsite, full‑time role with less than 10% travel.
• 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.

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 than 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, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

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

Comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, basic life insurance, accident, short‑term and long‑term disability, business travel accident insurance, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) with employee contributions and company matching, Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, paid parental leave, commuting benefits, Employee Discount Program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site.

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 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.