Sr. Controls Engineer

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Controls Engineer? 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

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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 Senior Controls Engineer supports the design, implementation, and optimization of automation systems within Panasonic's lithium-ion battery manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of PLCs (e.g., Mitsubishi, Omron) and vision systems (e.g., Keyence), ensuring high-performance, scalable, and safe equipment solutions. The engineer collaborates cross-functionally to evaluate system feasibility, support prototype development, and conduct technical analysis for long-term planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

• Program, install, and troubleshoot PLCs (Mitsubishi, Omron) and vision systems (Keyence) for manufacturing equipment
• Support integration of control systems with electrical hardware and machinery
• Develop and implement solutions to improve control system performance and reliability
• Lead or support the build and testing of prototype systems and components
• Prepare detailed system schematics, layouts, and wiring diagrams

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

• Evaluate technical and economic feasibility of new or modified equipment
• Analyze test data to validate system functionality, performance, and safety
• Develop experimental test programs and drive improvements based on results
• Apply knowledge of environmental regulations, energy optimization, and control wiring safety
• Identify and recommend design or system optimizations that support long-term manufacturing and EPC objectives

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide guidance on materials, components, and manufacturing methods
• Share technical expertise in PLC programming, automation design, and system troubleshooting with junior engineers and project teams
• Support development of engineering standards, templates, and best practices

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Analyze product and equipment specifications with stakeholders to define automation system requirements
• Work with R&D and cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues and support design improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, process, and construction teams to ensure alignment of automation designs with broader project goals

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:

• Ensure design compliance with NFPA 70, NFPA 79, UL standards, and hazardous location (Class I, Division 2) requirements
• Maintain awareness of applicable American environmental laws and UL standards and incorporate them into design decisions
• Plan and execute testing programs that verify system safety, reliability, and compliance
• Support risk assessment activities related to control systems, including failure mode analysis and mitigation planning

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 may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

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

Education, Certifications, & Licenses:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Electrical or Control Systems Engineering (State of Kansas preferred)

Preferred:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• UL 508A certification training
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP) from ISA
• PLC programming certifications from Mitsubishi, Omron, or Rockwell

Essential Qualifications:

• 7+ years of hands-on controls engineering experience, preferably in a manufacturing or capital project environment
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments, including international teams, to support integrated engineering solutions
• Excellent problem-solving ability using first principles thinking to resolve complex automation challenges
• Proficient in control panel and wiring design, including schematics, layouts, component selection, and industrial cabling standards
• In-depth knowledge of electrical hardware and systems, including PLC I/O, sensors, motor controls, and 480V panel installations
• Demonstrated expertise in PLC architecture, sequence control, and logic/software development
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and related UL safety standards for industrial machinery
• Familiar with Class I, Division 2 hazardous location electrical requirements
• Hands-on experience with machine vision systems, particularly Keyence and Cognex, for installation and troubleshooting
• Understanding of energy usage optimization strategies in automated systems and equipment
• Working knowledge of U.S. environmental regulations related to electrical and automation systems in manufacturing
• Strong English communication skills, including the ability to read, write, and speak effectively in technical and cross-functional contexts
• 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:

• 10+ years of progressive controls engineering experience, with increasing responsibility in automation system design and integration
• Background in high-volume manufacturing, preferably in lithium-ion battery, automotive, or electronics sectors
• Advanced experience with Keyence and Cognex vision systems for inspection and defect detection
• Familiarity with SCADA/HMI systems, robotic integration (e.g., FANUC, ABB), and large-scale automation projects
• Proficient with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar design tools
• Experience in energy efficiency projects and compliance with environmental regulations
• Informal leadership or mentoring experience
• Strong skills in technical documentation, presentations, and cross-functional communication

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 (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• 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.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• 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

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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