Sr. Materials Engineer

Overview Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Materials Engineer? Then we're looking for you! 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! Job Summary The Sr. Materials Engineer is responsible for the development and modification of processes and methods to introduce materials to the production process of Li‑ion batteries. Additionally, will collaborate broadly within Panasonic to analyze materials and components, establish operating data, conduct experimental tests, evaluate results, with the overall goal to introduce new materials/suppliers to PECNA’s products and processes. Essential Duties Promote collaboration with suppliers in North America to accelerate multi‑sourcing and localization. The collaboration includes coordinating technical meetings, creating and summarizing feedback to suppliers, preparing meeting materials, leading the meeting, explaining the feedback, creating engineering documents, requesting improvement, deciding the specification and analytical method, making a development plan, handling samples, all under alignment with related technical sections. Serve as Panasonic Energy's overall technical point of contact or support for existing and potential material suppliers in North America. Establish and maintain the evaluation system(s) for specific materials systems within the battery. Work with process and manufacturing engineering teams for evaluation of materials on the production lines. Utilize knowledge of Panasonic’s manufacturing process (specifically related to material of expertise) to lead and support modification of supplied components and improvement to PECNA’s products and processes. Provide deep technical expertise and resources to the internal team and external vendors. Create and nurture relationships within the greater Panasonic platform to support economic and performance improvements to materials in PECNA’s products. Collaborate with the greater Panasonic platform in their communication with material suppliers related to the development and validation of detailed material specifications for new materials and the resolution of quality issues. Independently develop analytical strategies to evaluate performance and failure origins. Independently create standard operating procedures to be used by external suppliers as well as internal process engineering and supplier quality teams to establish the compliance of materials and/or chemicals with PECNA’s products and processes. Use manufacturing data such as defect rate and alert rate to evaluate supplied materials. Draw conclusions that lead to improved manufacturability and cell performance. Lead internal team initiatives and mentor junior engineers to achieve team targets. Lead and maintain the establishment of safe working procedures and best practices surrounding analytical and laboratory techniques. Support all corporate EH&S, Governance and Quality initiatives. Other duties may be assigned. 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 requirement for some roles at PECNA including a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Electrochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or similar discipline. Preferred: Master’s or Ph.D. in any of the above disciplines. Essential Qualifications 7+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, product development, design, quality control, or related areas. Evidence of exceptional ability and full‑cycle engineering responsibility. Strong analytical and decision‑making abilities. Ability to work independently and in a team environment and with cross‑functional groups. Expert fundamental understanding of analytical methodologies key to Materials Development. Strong knowledge of commonly used battery manufacturing materials and associated analytical techniques. Track record of effective problem solving and data analysis to derive conclusions. Experience using Design of Experiments concepts. Ability to propose and align material specifications to suppliers. Ability to lead large, complex projects. Statistical analysis skills to improve processes. Mentoring experience for junior engineers. Preferred Qualifications Strong background in high‑volume manufacturing. Knowledge of battery materials selection and impact on electrochemical performance. Materials development experience collaborating with material suppliers. Basic knowledge of battery cell design. Physical Demands Physical activities: Sit 40%, Walk 30%, Stand 20%, Lift 10%. Required lifting: up to 10 lbs. Occasional; up to 20 lbs. Occasional; up to 35 lbs. Occasional; team‑lift over 35 lbs. Not required. Benefits & Perks Health benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options. Voluntary benefits: life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, pet insurance. Retirement savings: 401(k) with company matching contributions. Paid time‑off: vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, parental & caregiver leave. Educational assistance: tuition reimbursement for job‑related courses after six months of service. Well‑being programs: Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Employee recognition program. Annual bonus program opportunity. On‑site food options and open‑site shuttle. Equal Opportunity Employment 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. Pre‑employment drug testing is required. Application Process 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr