Technical Lead - Value Engineering,

About the Role

The Technical Lead – TCO Engineering is accountable for delivering material and component cost reduction, supply resilience, and margin improvement through technical analysis, specification optimization, alternate sourcing, and cross‑functional execution. The role partners closely with Procurement, R&D, Quality, Operations, and Suppliers to identify, validate, and implement cost optimization opportunities while maintaining product performance, regulatory compliance, and supply continuity.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identify and evaluate total cost optimization opportunities across materials, components, and processes—focusing on insourcing, alternate sourcing, and process & product value engineering—to align with site and Manufacturing Strategy goals.
• Perform structured should‑cost, clean‑sheet, and teardown analyses.
• Support category strategies with fact‑based cost drivers and benchmarks.
• Facilitate cross‑functional Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, and Cost Optimization events to generate and prioritize ideas.
• Lead a cross‑functional technical team through planning and execution of projects using engineering and scientific techniques, procedures, and criteria; construct detailed schedules, drive collaboration, and guide technical support groups.
• Lead or support technical change execution, including specification and material substitution.
• Coordinate sample builds, trials, and testing; support change control processes, validation, and implementation (e.g., cut‑in planning).
• Partner with Procurement, Quality, R&D, Operations, Strategy, and Finance to engage suppliers on process capability, readiness, and cost transparency; support dual qualification, risk mitigation, and capacity assessments.
• Lead and track initiatives end‑to‑end—from opportunity assessment, business case development, full execution to hand‑over of project and savings—to operations; maintain documentation of assumptions, risks, and approvals; document and leverage best practices within the TCO center continuous improvement methodology.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5–8+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Materials, Plastics, Chemicals, Packaging, Manufacturing engineering, or related field.
• Proven experience delivering multi‑million dollar value engineering savings.
• Proven experience leading cross‑functional projects end‑to‑end using structured project management methods.
• Working knowledge of GMP, change control, deviation/CAPA concepts, and validation/qualification principles.
• Strong analytical capability.
• Strong communication skills and cross‑functional influence skills.
• Travel required, 10–20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in alternate sourcing and supplier qualification (APQP/PPAP) in regulated manufacturing, with end‑to‑end technical and procurement leadership delivering cost savings.
• Experience translating technical changes into measurable business value, insourcing transitions, and tech transfer activities.
• Experience in value engineering and design for manufacturability.
• Experience with cost modelling, should‑costing or clean‑sheet methodologies.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification.

Travel

Travel required, 10–20%.

Applicants Must Be Authorized

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

Other Duties As Assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Overtime is worked as required.

Benefits Overview

• Medical and dental coverage starting day one; basic life, accident, short‑term and long‑term disability, and business travel accident insurance.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance, and healthy living programs.
• Paid holidays, paid time off (20–35 days based on length of service), family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave.
• Commuter benefits, Employee Discount Program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits.

Compensation

The estimated base salary for this position is $80,000 – $100,000 annually. The range is intended to reflect an anticipated salary range; actual compensation may vary based on market data and other factors.

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.