Overview
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Quality Control Technician Lead? 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
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 Quality Control Technician Lead – Level 5 serves as the primary technical authority for quality processes within a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. Working independently, this role owns process-level quality performance, including oversight of nonconformance management, advanced data analysis, and sustained process improvement. The technician applies deep expertise to identify systemic issues, implement robust solutions, and ensure alignment with internal standards and customer requirements. This position drives consistency across functional areas and provides technical direction, mentorship, and guidance to support overall quality performance.
Essential Duties
Functional Operations:
- Ensure consistent application and execution of quality standards and requirements across products and processes
- Own evaluation and disposition processes for complex nonconformances, including coordination of containment and resolution activities
- Perform and oversee product and process audits to ensure compliance and effectiveness of quality controls
- Provide direction on inspection methods, testing strategies, and measurement system application
- Support new product introduction (NPI), process changes, and equipment qualifications with quality requirements and risk assessment
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and traceability of quality records and documentation
- Operate and maintain tools and equipment within the functional area
Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- Own analysis of quality performance using advanced statistical methods (e.g., SPC, Cp/Cpk, trend analysis) to monitor and improve process capability
- Drive resolution of complex or systemic quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC)
- Own corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes, including effectiveness and standardization
- Identify gaps in process controls and implement standardized improvements across functional areas
- Develop and maintain data monitoring systems, including dashboards, alarms, or automated tools to proactively detect quality risks
- Contribute to development and standardization of quality systems, control plans, and procedures
Training & Team Support
- Provide technical mentorship and guidance to Quality Technicians and Inspectors across multiple levels
- Serve as a primary resource for advanced quality tools, data analysis, and problem-solving methodologies
- Support development and standardization of training programs, materials, and qualification processes
- Provide direction to cross-functional teams on quality standards, requirements, and best practices
- Identify organizational capability gaps and recommend development strategies
- No authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, reward, or discipline other employees
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to align and address systemic quality challenges and improve process performance
- Influence decision-making through clear communication of data insights, risks, and recommendations
- Facilitate alignment of quality standards and practices across functional areas
- Escalate critical risks or systemic issues with well-supported analysis and proposed solutions
- Present quality performance, trends, and improvement initiatives to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
Quality, Safety, & Compliance
- Ensure consistent application and adherence to quality management systems across functional areas
- Play a key role in internal and external audits, including preparation, execution, and response coordination
- Ensure quality processes, documentation, and records meet audit and regulatory expectations
- Drive standardization and continuous improvement of quality procedures and systems
- Uphold 6S standards and maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment
- Follow all safety protocols and PPE requirements during all activities
- Ability to work all scheduled shift hours
Supervisory Responsibilities
Travel Requirement
Required
Education, Certifications, and Licenses:
- High school diploma, GED, or 2 years of prior experience in functional area
Preferred
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field
- Certified Quality Technician (CQT) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- OSHA 10- or 30-Hour General Industry Certification
Essential Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or manufacturing inspection
- Deep understanding of quality systems, manufacturing processes, and inspection methodologies
- Strong experience managing complex nonconformances and driving resolution of systemic quality issues
- Demonstrated ability to apply advanced root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies
- Advanced knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and process capability analysis (Cp/Cpk)
- Proficiency with advanced quality tools (e.g., PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, PPAP)
- Experience developing or improving quality systems, standards, or procedures
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to influence outcomes across teams
- Ability to work independently with a high level of ownership and accountability
- Effective communication and collaboration skills across all organizational levels
- Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, MES, data visualization platforms)
- Safety-conscious mindset with adherence to all safety requirements
- Ability to meet physical job requirements
- Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
- 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)
Preferred Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (battery, automotive, or electronics preferred)
- 3-5 years of experience in quality assurance roles with a strong focus on corrective and containment actions
- Progression from a Level 4 Quality Technician role or equivalent experience
- Experience developing data visualization tools, dashboards, or automated monitoring systems (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
- Familiarity with scripting or automation tools (e.g., Python) for data analysis or process monitoring
- Experience supporting customer quality requirements and audits
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced data analysis, reporting, modeling)
- Experience driving plant-level or cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
- To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is required 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. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.
Physical Demands
Physical Activities: Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:
- Sit: 20%
- Walk: 70%
- Stand: 10%
Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)
For This Position, The Required Frequency Is
- Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent
- Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent
- Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
- Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional
The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, 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. In addition, employees are expected to participate in cross-training and may be assigned responsibilities in other areas as business needs evolve.
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!
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 on your professional journey.
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
- 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 rooted in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.
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 Corporation of North America.
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