Principal Process Engineer

Role Overview

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

• Support daily operations by improving control systems, addressing obsolescence, and increasing equipment reliability.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies aligned with site priorities and long‑term business objectives.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment to boost throughput, uptime, and repeatability.
• Map process flows and critical control points to enable data‑driven decision‑making.
• Advance digital transformation through automation, data integration, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, and statistical tools to remove bottlenecks and enhance process capability.
• Lead or support root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving for project‑specific challenges.
• Execute continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and update SOPs, protocols, and work instructions to align with process and equipment changes.
• Lead NCR/CAPA investigations and drive effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage change controls for equipment and process modifications.
• Deliver training and provide ongoing technical support to production teams.
• Act as an SME for equipment troubleshooting and process performance improvements.
• Guide cross‑functional teams and vendors while providing technical leadership on complex engineering initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or related field preferred).
• Ability to work in a Penicillin/Cephalosporin facility.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• On‑site, full‑time role with less than 10% travel.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, safety standards, and validation practices.
• Experience with automation platforms, including optimizing automated systems for high reliability, minimizing operator intervention, and maintaining stable performance across varying production conditions.
• Reduce human error by simplifying interfaces, designing fail‑safes (poka‑yoke), and creating processes that naturally guide correct actions.
• Improve alarm systems by eliminating nuisance alerts, prioritizing actionable alarms, and using data to enhance operator response and situational awareness.
• Bring strong technical capability across motion control, VFDs, pneumatics/hydraulics, mechanical aptitude; experience with serialization and SCADA is a plus.
• Apply structured risk‑reduction tools (FMEA, failure‑mode prevention), Industry 4.0 technologies (AI vision, robotics), and methodologies like Six Sigma, DFSS, and VOC.

Estimated base salary for this position is $112,000 - $154,000 annually. Pay may vary based on location, skills, experience, and other factors. This role may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles, including medical and dental coverage starting on day one, basic life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement savings with 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, paid parental leave, commuting benefits, employee discount program, employee assistance program (EAP), and childcare benefits.

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.

Workplace discrimination based on any of the above categories is prohibited by law.

Baxter is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact us with the nature of your request and your contact information.