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 Maintenance Technician Lead – Level 6 is an expert, multi-craft technician responsible for leading advanced maintenance and repair activities on complex production systems. This role diagnoses, troubleshoots, and resolves critical equipment issues while driving preventive maintenance effectiveness and reliability improvements. The Lead Technician collaborates closely with Maintenance Planning and Engineering to optimize maintenance programs and reduce downtime. In addition to hands-on technical leadership, this position provides mentorship and technical direction to ensure consistent maintenance standards and skill development across shifts.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Diagnoses and repairs complex mechanical and electrical issues using diagnostic tools, precision measuring instruments, and technical documentation
• Performs preventive maintenance on production machinery and equipment — including subassemblies, motors, pneumatic systems, conveyors, and related mechanical components — in accordance with Maintenance Process Instructions (MPIs), engineering drawings, and manufacturer guidelines
• Adjusts, rebuilds, or replaces defective parts using hoists, cranes, and precision tools; verifies proper fit, function, and alignment following repair
• Recommends and implements machine or process adjustments to enhance operational efficiency and overall equipment performance

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Identifies opportunities to improve equipment reliability, efficiency, and safety through root cause analysis and data-driven recommendations
• Partners with Engineering and Maintenance leadership to enhance preventive maintenance standards and update MPIs as needed
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives by documenting lessons learned, sharing best practices, and recommending process enhancements
• Contributes to plant-wide reliability programs focused on reducing recurring maintenance issues
• Proactively supports efforts to minimize unplanned downtime and sustain optimal production performance

Training & Team Support:

• Mentors and trains lower-level Maintenance Technicians and peers on maintenance procedures, troubleshooting methods, and safety practices
• Acts as a primary contact for on-shift technical support, escalating complex issues to supervisors or engineering when required
• Promotes a collaborative and safety-focused culture, reinforcing adherence to maintenance standards and LOTO practices
• Provides real-time technical guidance and responds to inquiries from production teams to support timely issue resolution
• Participates in onboarding and skill development of new maintenance staff to ensure operational readiness and consistent team capability

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborates closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to resolve equipment-related issues and sustain production continuity
• Partners with Japanese Technical Advisors (TA) and Engineering teams to troubleshoot specialized or complex technical challenges
• Shares preventive maintenance insights and operational feedback with production personnel to minimize downtime
• Documents and communicates maintenance activities, irregularities, and corrective actions to ensure seamless handoffs between shifts

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Maintains accurate maintenance records and work orders in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Ensures compliance with all safety regulations, standard operating procedures, and company quality policies
• Follows 6S workplace organization standards and maintains a clean, safe, and well-organized work area
• Adheres to all Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
• Support audits and inspections by ensuring documentation accuracy, tool readiness, and procedural compliance

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee 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:

Education:

• Required: High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED), or 2 years of prior experience in functional area

• Preferred: Associate degree or higher in a technical field (e.g., Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology)

Essential Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in a maintenance role or equivalent experience as a PECNA Maintenance Technician – Level 5 or Skilled Machine Technician – Level 5
• Successful completion of Ramsay mechanical and/or electrical assessment testing
• Proven expertise in performing preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on manufacturing equipment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally across all organizational levels and demonstrate sensitivity to customer needs and delivery timelines
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating adaptability to new tools, technologies, and concepts
• Strong problem-solving skills, team collaboration, and advanced technical troubleshooting capabilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Basic mathematical skills sufficient to perform standard calculations
• Working proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking)
• Resilient, self-motivated, and able to perform effectively under pressure
• Flexibility to work weekends and/or overtime as operational demands require

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in a maintenance role within a manufacturing environment
• Experience utilizing Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work order management and reporting
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and preventive maintenance program development
• Prior experience working in cleanroom or other high-spec manufacturing environments, such as lithium-ion battery, semiconductor, or medical device production
• In-depth knowledge of safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), NFPA 70E, and 6S or 5S workplace organization systems
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic schematics and blueprints
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring maintenance teams in a supervisory or senior technician capacity

Preferred License(s):

• None

Preferred Certification(s):

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
• Journeyman Certification
• PECNA approved Technical Training
• Safety Trained Supervisor (STS) Certification

Physical Demands:

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

• Sit: 10%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 50%
• 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.): Occasional

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 in 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 routed 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, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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.