Director, Design Quality - Infusion Systems

Baxter · Round Lake, IL

Level: Director+
Team: Quality
Base pay: $176k–$242k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 10+ years
Industry: Medical devices
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level quality role at Baxter (medical devices) in Round Lake, IL. As Director of Design Quality, you will ensure the highest quality design and development of Infusion Systems products including infusion pumps, sets, and health software.

They ask for: 10+ years · degree required
Base pay: $176k–$242k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Quality Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $98k–$146k. This one lists $176k–$242k.

Median of the low and high ends of 36 live postings that list pay, out of 46 quality engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 45 other live quality postings in Illinois.

Base pay: About 83% above similar roles
Experience asked: More than usual (10+ vs 4+)

Skills these teams ask for most

Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 50%
Root cause 43%
Supplier quality 43%
Team leadership 37%
SPC 35%
FDA / GMP 35%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 10+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Baxter
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Baxter in Round Lake

7 other open roles at this site.

Manufacturing Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
Senior Engineer, Quality · Quality · Senior
Plant Utilities Maintenance Technician (Night Shift) · Reliability · Technician
Manufacturing Supervisor II · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Automation Technician · Controls · Technician
Manager, Quality Engineering · Quality · Manager

All 8 roles at Baxter →

Full description from BaxterAs posted on their careers site.Show

Your Role at Baxter

This is where your creativity addresses challenges

As Director of Design Quality, you will ensure the highest quality design and development of Infusion Systems products including infusion pumps, sets, and health software.

You are creative, detailed, and a heads-down do-er. You embrace a challenge and truly apply the collaborative powers of your team to produce great results. You are motivated by work that is never the same from one day to the next.

Your Team at Baxter

Within Quality, every role makes a difference. Products that Baxter makes are shipped worldwide for patients in need. Whether it's building a new process from scratch or facing a never-before-seen production hurdle, individuals within Quality are given the trust and opportunity to bring creativity to the table. Regardless of your specific role with a product, it will touch a portion of our global operation.

The mission of Baxter is to save and sustain lives. This mission is embedded into everything we do. This means if there is a decision to be made where quantity and quality are at odds, we will always choose quality. Our patients come first, always.

requirements

and industry standards.

✓Significant breadth and depth in quality decision-making, risk management, and quality engineering.
✓Conflict resolution skills including persuasive management techniques required.

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.

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

Show full description ↓

This is where your work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride.

What you'll be doing

•Lead a team of Design Quality professionals who are responsible for product development, lifecycle management activities, and post-market monitoring.
•Develop and implement comprehensive design quality strategies, ensuring alignment with company goals, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Set and lead priorities within the team based on these strategies and business needs.
•Establish and maintain design quality and key performance indicators, conducting regular reviews and analyses to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•Serve as a subject matter expert on design quality matters, providing expertise and support to cross-functional teams and external partners.
•Partner with Quality System element stewards to develop, maintain, and improve the Quality System in relevant areas.
•Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and regulatory changes, and incorporate relevant insights into strategies and initiatives.
•Represent the company in industry forums, conferences, and standards committees, sharing knowledge to the advancement of the medical device industry.

What you'll bring

•Bachelor's in engineering, science, or related field required; Advanced degree preferred.
•10+ years of experience in quality, engineering, or a related product development function, 7+ years of managerial experience.
•Detailed understanding of the medical device, biologics, and combination product development cycle, knowledge of worldwide regulatory