OpEx Principal 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

Baxter is on a mission to modernize our global manufacturing locations through the implementation of advanced automation and Industry 4.0 tools. These tools are designed to improve our operations’ productivity goals and enable manufacturing sites to be smarter and leaner.

The Principal Engineer is a critical role responsible for advancing and sustaining manufacturing for Baxter’s Round Lake manufacturing site.

The successful candidate will bring a track record of proven Lean/Sig Sigma successes, with strong capabilities within the following areas: exhibit a passion for automation/new technologies, possess exceptional customer engagement, strong program management skills, a passion for data, and a quest for continuous improvement.

Knowledge of various leading Industry 4.0 tools such as AI/ML, computer vision, autonomous vehicles, IoT platforms, cloud & edge computing, and related-emerging technologies is a focus area. The candidate will bring excitement and energy for innovation, and a passion for their work and the impact it has on saving and sustaining the lives of our patients. 

The candidate will be able to identify, scope, develop and implement Continuous Improvement projects that work to improve bottom-line performance and increase overall machine OEE. The candidate will become an expert in all areas of the manufacturing process from an engineering perspective and be comfortable learning new interface and applications to increase efficiency and improve uptime.

What you will be doing

• Partner with business, commercial, and IT leaders to drive progress for digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead and implement the Baxter Operating System and subsequent workshops/kaizen activities to improve operational mechanisms, controls, execution gaps, etc.
• Performing root cause analysis and implementing improvements and countermeasures to prevent recurrence.
• Strong partnership with regional teams and local stakeholders to advance/accelerate key strategic initiatives to create value at the manufacturing site.
• Drive benefit realization tracking and partner with manufacturing sites to accelerate commitments or address gaps to plan.
• Ability to execute to plans while effectively managing risks and opportunities while working with local stakeholders to ensure that we achieve the desired outcome by improving the correlated/identified KPI.
• With minimal guidance, schedules and leads a team through the planning and execution of initiatives. This includes constructing detailed, accurate project schedules, interfacing with R&D, Advanced Engineering, development groups and technical support groups.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Supervises/coordinates an engineer and/or technicians on assigned work.
• Sustain a clean and safe work area using 6S principles.
• Learn, understand, and apply rigorous quality standards, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Able to deal with suppliers challenging them on timelines and technical aspects.
• Able to plan activities and tasks as a part of the project management using dedicated management tools like MS Project, Project Libre or Excel.

What you will bring

• BS in Engineering / Computer Science.
•  3+ years of experience in leading complex projects in a global manufacturing organization.
• Solid understanding and demonstrated track record of using open-source programming tools such as Python, OpenCV, Tableau, Node-RED, etc. is highly desired.
• Experience with computer vision systems.
• Exposure to and understanding of AI models for computer vision applications.
• Exposure to and understanding of advanced robotics technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), and collaborative robots.
• Exposure to and understanding of PLC programming and architecture such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, etc.
• Exposure to and understanding of manufacturing operations, MES, SCADA, Plant Historian, and data acquisition methods.
• Must have knowledge in concepts of “Six Sigma” quality techniques.
• Qualification and training in formal and systematic methods of program planning, management, and control.
• Financial understanding of the business value of transformation programs.
• Knowledge of the basic principles in various engineering disciplines.
• Deep Knowledge in project management and a PMP certification is preferred.
• Must know how to effectively run projects, coordinate contractors, and direct the activities of a technician.
• Ability to work as a collaborative team member with a proactive attitude.
• Ability to solve equipment problems with minimal to no assistance.
• Understand verbal and written safety and quality instructions and read and comprehend written work instructions including words and drawings.
• Display a solid understanding of theories/practices utilized by other disciplines outside primary area of expertise.
• Effectively operate in and may facilitate cross-functional teams with guidance.
• Must be able to provide solutions that reflect understanding business objectives and cost implications.
• Understand verbal and written safety and quality instructions and read and comprehend written work instructions including words and drawings.

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 $104,000 - $143,000 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. 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 (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.

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.