Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer

This is where you save and sustain lives

At Baxter, we are deeply connected by our mission. No matter your role at Baxter, your work makes a positive impact on people around the world. You’ll feel a sense of purpose throughout the organization, as we know our work improves outcomes for millions of patients. 

Baxter’s products and therapies are found in almost every hospital worldwide, in clinics and in the home. For over 85 years, we have pioneered significant medical innovations that transform healthcare.

Together, we create a place where we are happy, successful and inspire each other. This is where you can do your best work. 

Join us at the intersection of saving and sustaining lives— where your purpose accelerates our mission. 

Your Role at Baxter

This is where your work saves lives.

As the Senior Principal Engineer for Infusion Pumps- Pumping Mechanism, you will lead the end-to-end architecture, development, and integration of the mechanical pumping mechanisms used in smart drug delivery systems. You will be responsible for defining requirements, evaluating actuation and pumping strategies, and ensuring regulatory and reliability compliance in high-precision, life-critical applications. The successful candidate will possess strong technical capabilities, an excitement and energy for product development, and a passion for their work and the impact it has on saving and sustaining the lives of patients.

Relocation assistance will be considered.

What you'll be doing:

• Own the mechanical pumping subsystem architecture—from concept to production—for next-gen infusion pumps (syringe, peristaltic, or rotary pump mechanisms).
• Define functional and non-functional requirements in alignment with clinical needs, human factors, and system performance targets (e.g., flow rate accuracy, occlusion detection).
• Evaluate and select actuation mechanisms (DC motors, stepper motors, piezoelectric actuators), and pumping strategies (peristaltic, linear actuator/syringe, rotary vane).
• Collaborate with electronics, firmware, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure tight integration and optimized performance of the pump drive system.
• Conduct DFMEA / FTA to ensure subsystem safety and reliability over use cycles and varying environmental conditions.
• Utilizes knowledge of Plastics Injection Molding, Sheetmetal & casting part designs as per mfg. guidelines. Strong knowledge on DFM, DFA is needed.
• Guide design validation and V&V of the pumping subsystem against ISO 28620, IEC 60601, and IEC 62304 as applicable.
• Support regulatory submissions (FDA, CE) by contributing to risk management files and design history documentation.
• Lead technology scouting and feasibility evaluations for next-generation or wearable pump designs.
• Serve as a technical mentor to cross-functional teams and review critical design decisions.
• Performs and leads in-depth mechanical analysis and calculations including tolerance analysis, load and fatigue life analysis, and thermal and heat transfer modeling to ensure consistent performance in safety critical applications.
• Leads troubleshooting and problem solving efforts related to mechanical aspects of the design and interfaces with other design constituents.
• Creates and communicates design/test plans, tasks, deliverables and status. Manages time and resources to meet committed schedule milestones.

 What you'll bring:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in medical device development, with at least 5 years in infusion pump or drug delivery systems.
• Strong expertise in micro-mechanical systems, motor-driven actuation, and fluidic pumping technologies.
• Experience with design for reliability, miniaturization, and high-precision motion control.
• Deep knowledge of materials, tolerance stack-up, and designing for manufacturability (DFM) in high-volume production.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards: IEC 606061, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, FDA QSR.

Preferred

• Experience working on wearable or ambulatory infusion pumps
• Knowledge of sensor integration for pressure, flow, air-in-line, and occlusion detection
• Hands-on with MATLAB, SolidWorks, ANSYS, or similar simulation tools
• Patent contributions or publications in medical systems .

What Success Looks Like

You will have led the successful development of a safe, reliable, and compliant mechanical pumping subsystem that meets drug delivery accuracy requirements and passes V&V with minimal iteration. You will be seen as the go-to technical leader for all mechanical aspects of infusion systems architecture.

Baxter is committed to supporting the needs for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a required minimum number of days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in-person in support of our Mission. The flexible workplace policy is subject to local laws and legal requirements. At its discretion, Baxter may decide to adjust, suspend, or discontinue as business needs change.

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 $120,000 to $165,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. 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.

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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.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

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.

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