Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Automation

Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Automation

Baxter International Inc.

Automation engineer that supports process and automation improvements in a manufacturing site. Collaborates with Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Quality teams to drive improved performance on production equipment. Delivers equipment that supports process reliability, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and plant-wide efficiency, ensuring process design and operation meet Engineering and Quality standards.

• Support operations by identifying process, controls improvements and/or obsolescence.
• Develop strategy for improvements that align with site priorities.
• Troubleshoot and improve automated equipment performance at the machine/system level.
• Map process flows and critical control points across production.
• Own equipment design reviews to align automation with process intent.
• Align with site digital transformation.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma and statistical analysis to remove bottlenecks.
• Define inputs/outputs, materials, and tolerances for each step.

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Mechanical or Chemical preferred.
• 10+ years of prior experience in a related field.
• Prior manufacturing experience.
• Onsite, full‑time role.
• Less than 10% travel.
• Must be able to work in a Penicillin/Cephalosporin facility.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory compliance, safety, and validation.
• Mechanical and controls integration expertise.
• PLC/HMI/SCADA awareness with equipment design authority.
• Strong design risk mitigation and failure‑mode prevention skills.
• Experience in Industry 4.0 pilot initiatives (AI vision, robotics).
• Process modeling and statistical control.
• Expertise in Six Sigma, DFSS, Voice of Customer.
• Broader plant‑level view of efficiency, not just one machine.

Estimated base salary $120,000 – $165,000 annually, with discretionary bonuses. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits including medical and dental coverage beginning day one; life, accident, and disability insurance; 401(k) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan; flexible spending accounts; educational assistance; paid holidays and PTO; family and medical leave; childcare benefits; employee discount, and more.

Baxter is an equal‑opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.

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

Baxter is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please contact us with the nature of your request.

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