Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager? 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!

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 Manufacturing Engineering Manager leads a team of engineers to drive innovation and continuous improvement in commercial-scale battery cell manufacturing. This role is responsible for overseeing material introductions, process enhancements, and new battery model implementations to achieve world-class quality, safety, and efficiency. The Manager collaborates closely with leadership to align engineering efforts with organizational goals and promote sustainable growth. Strong people management and technical expertise are essential to coach the team, optimize production, and leverage data-driven insights for operational excellence.

Essential Duties:

Functional Leadership & Operations:

• Oversee and participate in material introduction, experimentation, and process improvement for cell manufacturing processes on a commercial scale
• Analyze and optimize production processes to ensure safety, maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and achieve world-class quality levels cost-effectively
• Apply technical expertise to innovate, design, and develop processes, procedures, equipment, tooling, and cell formulations
• Enable data-driven operational and financial decisions through predictive insights on tool and process performance, including integrating factory data systems and utilizing MySQL, Python, JMP, Tableau, and Ignition software
• Create and maintain standard work instructions for assigned processes
• Monitor and audit manufacturing processes to ensure product specifications and standards are achieved

Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with the General Manager to establish systems and standards promoting sustainability and growth in technical, organizational, and people development areas
• Lead continuous improvement projects (CIP) to maximize yield, capacity, and capability
• Utilize structured problem-solving techniques such as Design of Experiments (DoE), Five Whys (5W), and Eight Disciplines (8D)
• Monitor and reduce process variation using techniques such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:

• Lead the engineering team in developing and implementing advanced measurement and control systems to enhance OEE, product quality, and reliability continuously
• Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; and address complaints and resolve problems

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work with cross-functional teams to develop, validate, and improve manufacturing equipment and design manufacturability

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:

• Lead the development and maintenance of FMEAs and Control Plans

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position provides direct supervision to engineering staff, including responsibility for hiring, onboarding, performance evaluation, coaching, and disciplinary actions

Travel Requirement:

• Minimal travel required; primarily between company sites

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:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical, Electrical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Preferred:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemical, Electrical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE – SME)
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt
• Lean Manufacturing Certification (e.g., Lean Leader or Lean Enterprise Institute)
• Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE – ASQ)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Essential Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive engineering experience
• Strong technical aptitude with demonstrated expertise in battery manufacturing processes and tooling
• Proficiency with data analytics and factory data systems, including experience using MySQL, Python, JMP, Tableau, Ignition, or equivalent tools to support data-driven decision-making
• Proven ability to analyze complex production data and optimize processes for quality, safety, and efficiency
• Effective leadership skills with a passion for developing and coaching teams, including experience managing engineers and technical staff
• Excellent communication skills with working proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking) to collaborate across global teams
• Strong analytic and decision-making abilities with the ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders
• Alignment with Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, product development, design, or related fields
• 3+ years of experience in a management or technical leadership role
• Experience with battery manufacturing and high-speed robotic assembly processes
• Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments (e.g., 1M+ units/day capacity)
• Strong knowledge of regulatory, safety, and quality compliance standards (e.g., ISO, IATF, OSHA)
• Hands-on experience leading continuous improvement projects using Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and structured problem-solving methods such as Design of Experiments (DoE), Five Whys (5W), and Eight Disciplines (8D)
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and globally with resilience and adaptability in fast-paced environments
• Resilient, self-motivated, and able to perform well under pressure

Physical Demands:

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

• Sit: 35%
• Walk: 35%
• 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.): Rare

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.

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