Process Engineer I

Process Engineer I

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.

The Process Engineer I supports continuous improvement initiatives within cell manufacturing under close supervision and guidance. This role focuses on defect reduction, specification validation, new material or model support, and equipment efficiency through the application of basic engineering principles and established processes. The Process Engineer I impacts their own work and immediate team by contributing to clearly defined tasks within projects, supporting data-driven problem solving, and assisting with process optimization efforts. As part of Panasonic's Cell and Process Engineering team, this position operates within a structured, full-cycle engineering environment while developing foundational technical and manufacturing competencies.

Essential Duties:

• Functional Operations: Applies basic engineering principles, standard procedures, and documented methodologies to support cell manufacturing processes Supports assigned tasks within process improvement, equipment optimization, and manufacturing support projects Assists with monitoring, auditing, and validating manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with specifications and standards Supports documentation efforts, including SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides
• Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Works on clearly defined process improvement tasks under supervision to support defect reduction, productivity, quality, cost, and OEE improvements Collects, analyzes, and summarizes production and process data using existing tools and systems Applies established process engineering tools (e.g., SPC, basic FMEA concepts, standard problem-solving methods) to identify trends and opportunities Assists in implementing approved process changes and countermeasures in production environments
• Training & Team Support: Learns process engineering practices, manufacturing standards, and site-specific technologies through hands-on experience and mentorship Seeks guidance from senior engineers and subject matter experts to build technical depth and manufacturing knowledge Participates in training related to safety, quality systems, equipment operation, and engineering tools
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication: Communicates within the immediate team and functional partners using established communication channels Supports collaboration with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams when addressing routine issues Follows established escalation paths and procedures for technical issues and process deviations
• Quality, Safety, & Compliance: Adheres to all safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements Supports quality investigations, corrective actions, and process validations as directed Follows standard operating procedures and safety protocols, including PPE requirements Contributes to maintaining a safe, compliant, and high-quality manufacturing environment

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.

Qualifications Requirements - Required and/or Preferred Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical field Preferred: Bachelor's degree coursework or academic projects focused on manufacturing, process engineering, materials, automation, or data analysis Six Sigma Green Belt certification or progress toward certification Essential Qualifications: Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles, with the ability to apply them in a manufacturing or industrial environment Ability to apply structured problem-solving and analytical thinking to clearly defined technical challenges under supervision Basic familiarity with manufacturing, process, or industrial engineering concepts, including process flow, variation, and standardization Working knowledge of basic data analysis techniques and engineering tools (e.g., spreadsheets, charts, statistical summaries) Ability to read, interpret, and follow technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and standard operating procedures Demonstrated ability to learn new processes, tools, and technologies through training, mentorship, and hands-on application Effective verbal and written communication skills within a team-based and cross-functional environment 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: 2+ years of engineering experience gained through internships, co-ops, academic projects, or entry-level roles in manufacturing or industrial environments Exposure to high-volume, highly automated manufacturing environments, including battery, electronics, automotive, or energy storage industries Familiarity with basic process engineering and continuous improvement tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, Lean, Six Sigma concepts) Experience using data analysis or visualization tools such as Excel, Minitab, JMP, or similar Exposure to production equipment, industrial automation systems, PLC-controlled machinery, or manufacturing execution systems (MES) Basic understanding of lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, materials, or electrochemical principles Physical Demands: Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to: Sit: 20% Walk: 50% 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.: Frequent Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional