Manufacturing Engineer III

Manufacturing Engineer IIIJoin 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 Manufacturing Engineer III is an experienced individual contributor who serves as a technical leader across multiple projects and teams, operating with minimal oversight in a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role provides advanced manufacturing engineering expertise, leading medium-sized projects and driving complex process and equipment improvements. The Manufacturing Engineer III independently resolves multi-variable technical challenges, develops and validates manufacturing standards, and mentors junior engineers while collaborating cross-functionally to improve safety, quality, and operational performance.Essential Duties:Functional Operations: Demonstrates deep technical expertise in a defined manufacturing, process, equipment, or automation domainDevelops, validates, and maintains manufacturing standards, best practices, and technical documentationLeads medium-sized process improvement, equipment upgrade, or automation projects, managing scope, budgets, and timelinesIndependently evaluates manufacturing system performance and recommends data-driven technical solutionsServes as a subject matter expert for complex manufacturing or equipment-related issuesPerformance Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Independently handles complex, multi-variable manufacturing, quality, and equipment problemsLeads process improvement initiatives that introduce new methods, tools, or technologiesDrives systemic improvements to improve throughput, yield, reliability, and cost performanceApplies advanced problem-solving methodologies and statistical tools to improve process capability and stabilityEnsures sustainable implementation of improvements through standardization and documentationTraining & Team Support: Mentors Manufacturing Engineer I and II team members through technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharingMay lead small project teams or cross-functional technical working groupsSupports development of engineering capability through best practice sharing and technical reviewsActs as a technical escalation point for junior engineersCross-Functional Collaboration & Communication: Collaborates across departments including Production, Maintenance, Quality, Controls, and EngineeringPresents technical recommendations, project updates, and risk assessments to management and key stakeholdersMakes independent technical decisions within area of expertiseInfluences cross-functional alignment on technical strategy, implementation plans, and operational prioritiesQuality, Safety, & Compliance: Leads adherence to manufacturing quality standards and ensures process conformance to specificationsApplies advanced quality tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, fault tree analysis) to proactively identify and mitigate riskEnsures compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and safety policiesIntegrates safety considerations into process design, equipment changes, and improvement initiativesActively supports site safety initiatives, risk assessments, and equipment commissioning activitiesProperly uses and enforces required personal protective equipment (PPE) as dictated by functional area requirementsQualifications Requirements:Education, Certifications, and Licenses:Required: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related STEM fieldPreferred: Master's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related fieldLean Six Sigma Black Belt or demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level continuous improvement initiativesCertified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) strongly preferredAdvanced training or certification in automation systems, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems integrationProject leadership or project management certification (e.g., PMP, equivalent internal program, or formal project leadership training)OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification (or equivalent advanced safety training)Essential Qualifications:4+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environmentDemonstrated ability to operate with limited supervision and independently lead complex technical initiativesProven experience leading medium-sized projects with responsibility for scope, schedule, and resultsDeep understanding of manufacturing systems, equipment, and process optimization strategiesAdvanced problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex, multi-variable issuesStrong cross-functional communication skills, including the ability to present to managementDemonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadershipMust have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking EnglishAlignment 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:6+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environmentExperience in high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing or related industries (automotive, electronics, energy storage)Advanced experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologiesProven success leading equipment upgrades, automation integration, or commissioning projectsStrong background in quality systems, statistical analysis, and process capability improvementPhysical Demands:Sit: 10%Walk: 70%Stand: 20%Required Lifting and Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional