Controls Engineer I

Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Sparks (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Wellbeing programs

Employee recognition

On-site facilities

Job summary

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America seeks a Controls Engineer I to lead vision and PLC troubleshooting within high‑volume battery manufacturing. You will analyze specifications, design feasible equipment, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams worldwide to ensure high performance and quality.

The role emphasizes hands‑on programming, system integration, and developing test programs to validate designs against specifications in a fast‑paced industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• 1–3 years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting vision systems (Keyence/Cognex).
• Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting PLCs (Mitsubishi/Omron).
• Strong understanding of electrical drawings, schematics, and sequence control.
• Ability to collaborate across departments including overseas.

Responsibilities

• Program, install, and troubleshoot Keyence vision systems within battery manufacturing processes.
• Program, install, and troubleshoot PLC systems such as Mitsubishi and Omron.
• Analyze specifications to determine producible designs within existing facilities.
• Develop and modify plant equipment considering costs, space, and time constraints.
• Prepare product layouts, drawings, and schematics; coordinate prototype builds.
• Plan experimental test programs and analyze results for performance standards.

Skills

Vision systems

PLC programming

Manufacturing experience

Electrical drawings

Team collaboration

First principles thinking

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Keyence

Cognex

Mitsubishi PLC

Omron PLC

Job description

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Controls Engineer I? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! 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!

Responsibilities

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is seeking ambitious engineers to lead the world’s largest lithium-ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory to support Tesla’s electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. Panasonic invites you to join us in this ongoing full-scale effort to electrify our society. At PECNA, engineers quickly become experts in the fundamentals of lithium-ion cell technology and work to integrate that understanding with high speed, automated manufacturing methods to produce the highest performance and highest quality lithium-ion batteries.

Essential Duties

• Programming, installing, and troubleshooting Keyence vision systems within Panasonic’s battery manufacturing processes.
• Programming, installing, and troubleshooting PLC systems such as Mitsubishi and Omron within Panasonic’s battery manufacturing processes.
• Analyzing product or equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs which can be produced by existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods.
• Determining feasibility of designing new plant equipment or modifying existing facilities considering costs, available space, time limitations, company planning, and other technical and economic factors.
• Providing technical information concerning manufacturing or processing techniques, materials, properties, and process advantages and limitations which affect long range plant and product engineering planning.
• Conferring with research personnel to clarify or resolve problems and develop design.
• Preparing or directing preparation of product or system layout and detailed drawings and schematics.
• Directing and coordinating manufacturing or building of prototype products or systems.
• Planning and developing experimental test programs.
• Analyzing test data and reports to determine if design meets functional and performance specifications.
• Evaluating engineering test results for possible application to developments of systems or other uses.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employee’s, wearing PPE is a requirement for some roles at PENA 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

• Basic: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar discipline.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar discipline.

Essential Qualifications

• 1- 3 years experience
• Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting manufacturing image vision systems such as Keyence and Cognex.
• Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting PLC systems such as Mitsubishi and Omron.
• Background working in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of electrical hardware, drawings, sequence control and software design.
• Ability to cooperate and work with related departments including overseas.
• Flexibility to solve issues with first principles thinking.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with wiring/cabling size/terminations and load/temperature requirements.
• Familiarity with industrial machinery design & related NFPA codes:
• 70
• 79 (and related UL standards for industrial machinery)
• Knowledge regarding electrical requirements in hazardous locations (Class I, Div 2).
• Experience with 480 V panel installations.
• Control wiring design.
• Experience with energy usage/optimization.
• Knowledge and handling about American environmental laws and UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

Preferred License(s)

• None

Preferred Certification(s)

• None

Physical Demands

Physical Activities: (Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to)

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

• Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You

• 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. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• 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. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

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.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.