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Principal Specialist, Regulatory Affairs

Baxter · Round Lake, IL · $104,000–$143,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a regulatory strategy you built for a product change that had to clear several markets at once.

What they are checking: Whether they can sequence submissions across regions so one market's timing doesn't block the others.

Describe a time your regulatory assessment turned out to be wrong. What happened next?

What they are checking: Whether they own mistakes openly and fix the process, which matters when errors can pull a product off the market.

How do you explain a regulatory risk to a product leader who has no regulatory background?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn regulatory detail into plain business risk so leaders make informed decisions.

Tell me about a time you influenced a cross-functional team on a regulatory decision when you had no authority over them.

What they are checking: Whether a principal-level specialist can lead through expertise and trust rather than title.

What would you do

R&D wants to ship a supplier change next month and you think it needs a submission first. How do you handle that conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold a compliance line with engineers while offering a realistic path that keeps the project moving.

Labeling wants to update an instructions for use document across many languages. What regulatory checks do you put in place?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that labeling changes can trigger filings and need control across every market version.

About the work

A design change comes to you for a device already on the market in the U.S. and EU. How do you decide whether it needs a new 510(k) or a notified body notification?

What they are checking: Whether they can apply FDA and EU MDR change-assessment logic and defend the call with documented reasoning.

What changed for you in practice when the EU moved from the MDD to the MDR?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience with MDR technical documentation, clinical evidence and post-market requirements, not just headlines.

Walk me through how you would respond to an FDA additional information request on a 510(k) with a tight deadline.

What they are checking: Whether they can organize a fast, complete response and pull the right technical people in without losing control of the message.

How do you keep track of new or changing rules across the other global markets in your portfolio?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real habit for regulatory intelligence rather than learning about changes after they bite.

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The full job description

As published by Baxter.

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. Your role at Baxter As a Principal Specialist, Global Regulatory Affairs, you will manage regulatory activities for an assigned portfolio of medical device products across the U.S., EU, and other global markets. You will develop regulatory strategies, assess product and process changes, and support submissions that maintain market access and compliance throughout the product lifecycle. This is where you will apply your knowledge of global medical device regulations to guide product changes, support regulatory submissions, and help bring new and updated products to market. Working closely with Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Quality, Marketing, and Operations, you will provide regulatory input that supports sound business and compliance decisions. In this role, you will contribute to global regulatory planning and execution for Baxter products. Success will be measured through effective lifecycle management, timely regulatory submissions and approvals, and the ability to support product changes while meeting regulatory requirements. What you'll be doing • Manage regulatory approvals, registrations, and change assessments to support the ongoing compliance and market availability of medical device products. • Develop regulatory strategies and submission plans to support product changes, process changes, and new market introductions. • Evaluate regulatory impact and determine submission requirements for the U.S., EU, and other international markets. • Prepare and submit U.S. regulatory filings, including 510(k) submissions, pre-submissions, and responses to FDA requests. • Maintain EU MDR regulatory documentation and support updates to technical documentation. • Support interactions with Notified Bodies and regulatory authorities for assigned products. • Review technical, scientific, and quality information to assess regulatory impact and support implementation of product lifecycle changes. • Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and assess potential impact to products, processes, and regulatory strategies. • Partner with cross-functional teams and international regulatory colleagues to support global submission planning, execution, and compliance activities. What you'll bring • Bachelor’s degree in scientific or engineering subject area. • 5 years regulatory experience in the medical device industry. • Experience with electromechanical medical devices is desirable. • Experience with FDA change assessment guidance and EU MDR technical documentation expectations. • Ability to document regulatory decisions and defend submission strategy. • Successful preparation and submission of 510(k)s • Familiarity with global registrations beyond the US and EU. • Strong regulatory knowledge and ability to interpret scientific information to support regulatory submissions. • Ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive regulatory alignment in a matrixed, global organization • Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines in a multinational/multicultural team environment. • Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills. • Strong negotiation skills. • Identify, prioritize and communicate regulatory risks and raise issues when appropriate. 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 .

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