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 Facilities Fire Systems Technician – Level 5 performs advanced inspection, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and technical oversight of fire protection and life-safety systems to ensure system reliability, operational readiness, and full regulatory compliance across the site. Serving as a senior technical resource within the Facilities organization, this role provides subject matter expertise for fire alarm, detection, suppression, and related infrastructure systems; leads complex diagnostics and system restoration efforts; and establishes technical standards and best practices. This position includes fire brigade support responsibilities in addition to primary fire systems duties, responding to fire alarms, thermal events, and other emergency situations as part of the site brigade while continuing to support overall facility operations. Because this is not a full-time standby fire position, emergency response may require transitioning from active facility work, securing work areas, accessing response equipment and protective gear, and deploying to the incident scene as needed. Working independently with limited oversight, this position collaborates with internal teams, contractors, local authorities, and regulatory representatives to ensure safe, compliant, and resilient facility operations.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Perform advanced inspections, testing, maintenance, repairs, and system diagnostics on fire alarm, suppression, and life-safety systems
• Develop and maintain advanced expertise in site-specific hazards and response procedures, serving as a primary technical resource for emergency and routine operations
• Operate, maintain, and manage fire brigade tools and equipment, including inventory management
• Lead technical troubleshooting efforts for complex or high-impact system failures
• Provide technical oversight of contractor activities related to fire protection systems
• Review and validate contractor inspection, testing, and repair documentation for technical accuracy
• Provide initial emergency response actions for thermal events and unwanted system activations, coordinating with internal teams, external responders, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze system performance data and identify trends impacting reliability or compliance
• Lead root cause evaluations for significant system failures or unwanted activations
• Develop and recommend improvements to preventive maintenance strategies and system reliability practices
• Ensure completeness and technical accuracy of maintenance records, inspection documentation, and impairment logs

Training & Team Support:

• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to Level 3 and Level 4 technicians
• Support development and refinement of fire protection procedures and technical documentation
• Maintain and advance professional certifications (NICET, OSHA, manufacturer-specific training)
• Support fire brigade training initiatives and operational readiness activities
• Participate in thermal event, safety, and emergency response training

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Serve as primary technical contact for fire protection systems during inspections and testing activities
• Maintain qualifications required for fire brigade support duties
• Interface with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) during routine inspections, system testing, and technical reviews, separate from emergency response activities
• Collaborate with Engineering, Facilities Operations and Maintenance, EHS, Emergency Management, contractors, and external agencies to resolve complex system issues
• Provide technical input for system impairments, restorations, and risk mitigation strategies

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Ensure fire protection systems are maintained in compliance with applicable codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies
• Provide technical review and support for Permit to Work activities involving fire protection impairments
• Support coordination of fire protection system impairments and restorations in accordance with established procedures
• Fulfill assigned fire brigade responsibilities consistent with training and site procedures
• Maintain 6S and plant quality standards
• Meet PPE and physical requirements
• Work all assigned shift hours

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Travel Requirement:

• None

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Required:

• High school diploma, GED, or 2 years of prior experience in fire protection or related fields
• Current state-issued driver's license
• Firefighter I Certification

Preferred:

• Associate degree in Fire Protection Technology, Fire Science, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Systems, Engineering, or related technical field
• Relevant technical training in fire alarm, suppression systems, or life-safety systems
• OSHA 30 Certification
• HAZWOPER 24
• ICS 100/200
• CPR Certification
• Hazmat Technician Certification
• NFPA 70E or NFPA 70B

Essential Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience as a Fire Systems Technician, Emergency Responder (EMS, LE, FD), or relevant field
• SCBA fit testing and firefighter physical clearance required
• Ability to lift, climb ladders, work at heights, and work in confined spaces
• Capable of performing emergency response duties while wearing full structural firefighting PPE
• Advanced knowledge of electrical safety practices and lockout/tagout procedures
• Advanced troubleshooting experience with low-voltage systems, including fire alarm, security, or building automation wiring
• Advanced knowledge of water-based fire protection systems, including wet, dry, standpipe, and hydrant systems
• Ability to independently interpret blueprints, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, technical manuals, and sequence of operations
• Ability to evaluate contractor work for technical accuracy and code alignment
• 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:

• 8+ years of experience in relevant fire protection or emergency response roles
• Knowledge of applicable fire protection codes and standards, including NFPA requirements
• Experience serving as technical lead during fire protection system inspections involving Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
• Experience supporting fire protection system upgrades, retrofits, or capital improvement projects
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, or large campus environments

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: 10%
• Walk: 40%
• Stand: 50%

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

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.

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.