Process Engineer II

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Process 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 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 Process Engineer II works independently on routine to moderately complex assignments within cell manufacturing, supporting efficiency, quality, and cost improvement initiatives across production lines. This role impacts projects within the functional area by managing defined workstreams or small projects, applying sound engineering judgment, and solving moderately complex process and equipment challenges with limited guidance. As part of Panasonic's Cell and Process Engineering team, the Process Engineer II contributes to a structured, full-cycle engineering environment through data-driven analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement execution.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Expands technical depth in assigned process areas and independently addresses moderately complex engineering problems
• Manages defined workstreams or small projects within process improvement, equipment optimization, or manufacturing support initiatives
• Supports specification compliance through routine process audits, validations, and standard reviews
• Develops and maintains technical documentation, including SOPs, control plans, and troubleshooting guides

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Solves moderately complex process, quality, and equipment issues with limited guidance
• Analyzes production and process data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities
• Applies structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., SPC, FMEA, root cause analysis) to recommend and implement improvements
• Suggests enhancements to existing process designs, controls, or operating methods to improve OEE, quality, and cost performance

Training & Team Support:

• Shares process knowledge, best practices, and problem-solving approaches with peers and technicians
• Provides technical guidance to operators and junior engineers during process changes or issue resolution
• Supports onboarding and training activities related to process operation, quality standards, and safety requirements

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Communicates effectively with cross-functional partners, including manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams
• Coordinates execution of approved countermeasures and process changes across functional stakeholders
• Uses sound engineering judgment when addressing moderately complex issues and escalates appropriately when risks are identified

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Ensures compliance with all safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Supports quality investigations, corrective actions, and process validations within assigned areas
• Adheres to standard operating procedures and PPE requirements
• Promotes safe work practices and contributes to maintaining a compliant, high-quality manufacturing environment

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.

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.

Qualifications

Qualifications - Required and/or Preferred

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical field

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline
• Graduate-level coursework or academic focus in manufacturing systems, process engineering, materials science, automation, controls, or data analytics
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Lean Manufacturing certification or formal Lean training

Essential Qualifications:

• 2+ years of relevant experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field, including laboratory and/or manufacturing floor experience
• Ability to independently execute routine engineering assignments and solve moderately complex technical problems with limited guidance
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying data analysis, structured root cause analysis, and process optimization tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, standard problem-solving methodologies)
• Demonstrated ability to manage defined workstreams or small projects within a functional area, including planning, execution, and follow-through
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgment to balance quality, cost, throughput, safety, and reliability within established standards and procedures
• Working knowledge of process control, variation reduction, and process stability in a manufacturing environment
• Comfortable working in both manufacturing floor and office settings and providing technical guidance to operators, technicians, and peers
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in cross-functional manufacturing environments
• 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:

• 4+ years of experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or laboratory-based engineering roles
• Experience in high-volume, highly automated manufacturing environments, including battery, electronics, automotive, or energy storage industries
• Hands-on exposure to lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, roll-to-roll processing, or electrochemical systems
• Working knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (MES), PLC-controlled equipment, sensors, and industrial control strategies
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma tools to real production problems in a manufacturing environment
• Exposure to advanced data analysis or visualization tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, or similar

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 50%
• Stand: 30%

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

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:

• Health Benefits - Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits - Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) - 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits - Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance - Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs -Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events
• Free Shuttle: Rides to and from work!

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.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing 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 Corporation of North America.

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