Overview
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Manufacturing Engineer II? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!
Responsibilities
Meet Panasonic
Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey
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Panasonic Video Our Mission: Create Technologies That Move Us
Summary
Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.
Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer II is a proactive and capable member of our production team, responsible for independently optimizing manufacturing processes, driving efficiency improvements, and ensuring product quality. This role involves implementing process improvements, effectively troubleshooting equipment issues, leading small projects, and providing guidance to junior engineers. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of engineering principles applied in a manufacturing setting, proven problem-solving skills, a strong commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively. Panasonic Energy Corporation North America does not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
Essential Duties
- Independently Analyze and Improve Manufacturing Processes: Identify and implement opportunities for efficiency gains and waste reduction with minimal guidance.
- Develop and Implement SOPs and Work Instructions: Create and maintain clear and effective process documentation independently.
- Conduct Data-Driven Process Analysis: Perform time studies and process capability analysis to identify and implement process improvements.
- Develop and Implement Permanent Countermeasures: Collaborate with engineering and maintenance to create and deploy lasting solutions for manufacturing issues and independently implement them.
- Independently Perform Technical Equipment Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve equipment malfunctions efficiently and effectively.
- Support and Contribute to Preventative Maintenance Activities: Work with maintenance to optimize equipment reliability and contribute to maintenance strategies.
- Contribute to and Implement Manufacturing Automation: Participate in the integration and upkeep of automated systems, potentially leading small automation-related tasks.
- Implement and Maintain Quality Control Systems: Ensure product quality and adherence to specifications with increasing autonomy.
- Lead Root Cause Analysis Activities and Implement Corrective Actions: Investigate quality issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions independently.
- Lead Small Process Improvement and Equipment Upgrade Projects: Manage project tasks, track progress, and ensure timely completion of smaller initiatives.
- Collaborate and Communicate Effectively Across Teams: Work closely with production, maintenance, quality, and other departments, providing clear and concise communication.
- Ensure Safety Compliance and Participate in Safety Initiatives, Mentoring Junior Engineers on Safety Protocols: Promote a safe working environment, participate in safety initiatives, and guide junior engineers on safety procedures, including equipment commissioning safety aspects.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
- To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees’, wearing PPE is a possibility and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. Respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.
The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.
Qualifications
Requirements - Required and/or Preferred:
Education
- Required: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Preferred: Master’s Degree in Engineering.
Essential Qualifications
- 2+ years of mechanical engineering experience
- Proven Engineering Ability & Increasing Ownership: Demonstrates solid engineering talent and a growing track record of independently managing projects and taking ownership of outcomes.
- Developing Manufacturing Expertise: Possesses a good understanding of engineering principles applied in a manufacturing setting, with increasing practical experience.
- Solid Technical Skills & Problem-Solving: Exhibits strong mechanical aptitude, proven ability to troubleshoot issues independently, conduct root cause analysis, and understand technical documentation (e.g., 3D CAD, mechanical drawings, MPI, P&IDs).
- Applied Process Improvement & Analysis Skills: Demonstrates the ability to apply process development and improvement methodologies, analyze data (including SPC concepts), and identify critical process parameters independently. Familiarity with tools like FTA and FMEA is utilized.
- Effective Collaboration & Communication Skills: Demonstrates strong teamwork and communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with manufacturing teams and potentially guiding junior engineers.
- Proactive Initiative & Growing Autonomy: Flexible in working across different environments (floor and office), a proactive self-starter capable of managing multiple tasks independently and demonstrating initiative in driving improvements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Applied experience with lean manufacturing and six sigma methodologies in projects.
- Experience designing and implementing fixtures, jigs, brackets, etc.
- Experience participating in the installation, commissioning, and qualification/validation of new equipment.
- Working knowledge of control strategy concepts, PLCs, and sensor/actuator relationships.
- Experience with basic industrial data analysis or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
- Some experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (1M+ units per day) such as batteries or electronic devices.
- Hands-on experience working with machine shops and basic fabrication.
- Strong alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude) with a demonstrated ability to embody these values and potentially mentor others.
Physical Demands
Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:
- Sit: 40%
- Walk: 30%
- Stand: 20%
- Lift: 10%
Required Lifting and Carrying: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)
For This Position The Required Frequency Is
- Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
- Up to 20 lbs.: Not Required
- Up to 35 lbs.: Not Required
- Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required
Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You
Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:
- Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
- Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
- Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
- Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
- Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
- Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
- Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
- Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.
Where You'll Be
For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.
Who We Are
Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.
This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operations to De Soto, Kansas and build the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. We will provide you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.
As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.
Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.
We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.
In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.
We Take Opportunity Seriously
At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.
We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!
Supplemental Information
Pre-employment drug testing is required.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.
Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy of North America.
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