Sr. Engineer Industrial Automation & Analytics

Sr. Engineer Industrial Automation & Analytics

Panasonic Energy is seeking a Sr. Engineer, Industrial Automation & Analytics Initiatives reporting to the Sr. Director, Next Gen Initiatives. This role serves as an operational integrator driving Next Gen Initiatives (NGI) across Robotics & Automation, AI Enablement & Data Analytics, Cost & Material Management, and Workforce Upskilling that support Hoshin objectives and P&L metrics at Panasonic's Nevada and Kansas manufacturing sites. The ideal candidate blends future-forward curiosity with a hands-on approach to problem-solving. You will translate complex manufacturing challenges into structured initiatives, driving cross-functional execution from early discovery and ideation through proof-of-concept and full deployment, ensuring measurable performance improvements and sustained adoption across the shop floor.

Essential Duties:

• Strategy & Execution: Partner with NGI leadership and site leadership to define and prioritize initiatives aligned to NGI pillars and identify opportunities to improve performance, cost, and workforce capability.
• Translate operational challenges into clear initiative charters and drive end-to-end delivery across both physical systems (automation/robotics) and digital systems (analytics/AI).
• Identify and evaluate high-impact opportunities in areas such as robotics, process automation, automated inspection, predictive maintenance, and AI-enabled decision support.
• Manage initiative timelines, risks, and dependencies; drive issue resolution with cross functional stakeholders.

Next Gen Technologies: Lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of automation and operational intelligence technologies across the sites. Includes robotics, equipment automation, command centers operating concepts, AI driven decision support, quality inspection, and material movement systems. Drive development and adoption of AI/ML and analytics tools, evaluating emerging technologies for practical application. Evaluate and pilot emerging physical AI platforms (advanced robotics) and digital AI tools (agentic/GenAI) using structured evaluation frameworks before scaled investment.

Stakeholder & Vendor Coordination: Bridge the gap between Operations, Engineering, Safety, Maintenance, IT/OT, Quality, Finance, HR, Supply Chain and external partners on high-value projects. Coordinate with vendors, integrators, and internal teams to ensure effective resourcing and delivery for both physical and digital initiatives. Support training and change management for sustainable ownership by relevant teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Travel Requirement: Up to 25% travel required

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:

• Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related field Preferred: Master's degree in a related field PMP, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement certification
• Essential Qualifications: 7+ years in high-volume manufacturing with automation or analytics experience Proven cross-functional delivery from concept to adoption Knowledge of factory systems (MES, SCADA, PLCs, ERP) Experience with automation deployments or data solutions Strong understanding of industrial safety and reliability expectations Strong communication, structured problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills
• Preferred Qualifications: Foundation in controls or analytics Experience deploying robotics, automated inspection, or advanced process control in production Experience with computer vision/ML model deployment in manufacturing settings

Physical Demands:

• Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to: Sit: 10% Walk: 50% Stand: 40%
• 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.: Continuous Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent Up to 35 lbs.: Frequent Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional

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:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events
• Free Shuttle: Rides to and from work!

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.

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. Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing 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!

Supplemental Information: Pre-employment drug testing is required. 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. 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.