Vision Engineer I

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Vision Engineer I? 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 the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

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 Vision Engineer I supports Panasonic's battery manufacturing operations by programming, installing, and troubleshooting machine vision systems. This role provides technical support to production and contributes to continuous improvement efforts through data analysis and system optimization. The engineer will also generate training materials and documentation to support cross-functional teams. A foundational understanding of vision systems, programming, and manufacturing environments is essential for success in this position.

Essential Duties:

Vision System Programming & Support:

• Programming, installing, and troubleshooting machine vision systems, equipment monitoring, and robotic vision within Panasonic's battery manufacturing processes
• Providing machine vision-related technical support to ongoing production operations
• Supporting investigation into manufacturing equipment failures and designing or consulting on countermeasures from the machine vision systems perspective

Documentation, Training, and Knowledge Transfer:

• Learning the machine vision systems and creating documents and training for other teams

Design and Technical Analysis:

• Analyzing product or equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs which can be produced by existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods
• Preparing product or system layouts, detailed drawings, and schematics
• Analyzing test data and reports to determine if design meets functional and performance specifications
• Evaluating engineering test results for possible application to developments of systems or other uses

Technical Consultation and Strategic Support:

• Providing technical information concerning manufacturing or processing techniques, materials, properties, and process advantages and limitations which affect long-range plant and product engineering planning

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for our employees' protection, 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. A 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 Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field
• Preferred: Master's degree in Engineering, Robotics, Automation, or a related field with a focus on vision systems, machine learning, or automation technologies

Essential Qualifications:

• 0 - 2 years of engineering experience (internships/co-op acceptable)
• Understanding of selecting cameras, lighting, and lenses for applications such as defect detection and part positioning
• Familiarity with quality improvement tools such as Six Sigma, Cpk, and Gauge R&R
• Proficient in statistical analysis and data interpretation
• Programming experience with languages such as C, C++, or Python
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in vision engineering or related field
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably in battery manufacturing or a related industry such as electronics, automotive, or energy storage
• Experience with machine vision or computer vision system programming, installation, and troubleshooting
• Experience with PLC systems, especially Mitsubishi, Keyence, or Omron
• Knowledge of industrial wiring, cabling, and electrical load/temperature requirements
• Familiarity with industrial machinery design and relevant safety codes (NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and applicable UL standards)
• 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 Certification(s):

• Certified Vision Professional (CVP - Basic or Advanced) from A3 (Association for Advancing Automation)
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP) from ISA (International Society of Automation)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
• PLC Programming Certifications (e.g., Mitsubishi, Omron, or Rockwell Automation)
• Python or C++ Programming Certification from a recognized provider (e.g., Coursera, edX, or vendor-specific)

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.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• 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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