Engineering Manager

Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

On-site shuttle

Job summary

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America seeks an Engineering Manager to lead the Manufacturing Engineering team at the large-scale Li‑ion battery operation. You will guide process development, layout planning, and equipment oversight to deliver high performance cells and efficient production.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in engineering with 5+ years of leadership, strong analytics, and hands-on collaboration across disciplines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or materials engineering or related discipline.
• MS or PhD in a related engineering field preferred.
• 8+ years engineering experience in manufacturing, product development, or design.
• 5+ years of leadership experience; strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Manufacturing Engineering team direction and performance.
• Interview, hire, train, and evaluate team members; plan and direct work.
• Research and develop new battery manufacturing processes.
• Design, layout, and oversee equipment for battery manufacturing at scale.
• Analyze procedures and equipment to reduce time and cost; develop control systems.
• Ensure safe, compliant Li‑ion cell manufacturing processes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as an Engineering Manager? Then we're looking for you!

Responsibilities

Engineering Manager

Job Summary

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

• Managing others and being responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Manufacturing Engineering team.
• Carrying out supervisory responsibilities including interviewing, hiring, and training new employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems following the company’s established policies and procedures.
• Conducting research to develop new and improved battery manufacturing processes.
• Designing, planning layout, and overseeing workers engaged in constructing, controlling, and improving equipment to carry out battery manufacturing processes on commercial scale.
• Analyzing operating procedures and equipment/machinery functions to reduce processing time and cost.
• Designing and planning measurement and control systems for manufacturing processes based on data collected in laboratory experiments and pilot plant operations.
• Determining the most effective arrangement of unit operations by exercising judgement to compromise between process requirements, economic evaluation, operator effectiveness, and physical and health hazards.
• Establishing procedures for operators and technicians to use in the manufacturing processes for the manufacturing of Li-ion cells.
• Performing tests and taking measurements throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over process variables.
• Applying principles of chemical engineering to solve environmental problems

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.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education

• Basic: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline.
• Preferred: M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline.

Essential Qualifications

• Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America does not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
• Evidence of exceptional ability. Panasonic follows a culture of full-cycle engineering where members will have full responsibility and accountability for their projects from start to finish. We are looking for the best of the best.
• 8+ years of engineering experience in areas such as manufacturing, product development, design, or other area.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Strong analytic and decision-making abilities. Able to influence others to move towards a common goal.
• Self-motivation and resourcefulness are required.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize work, and deliver quality results.
• Intuitive, adaptable, creative, and collaborative with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing and speaking English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience with electrochemistry and electrochemical analysis preferred.
• Previous experience with Industrial data analysis or Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (1M+ units per day) such as batteries or electronic devices.
• Familiarity with six sigma methodologies and tools.
• Strong data analysis skills with tools such as JMP, Minitab, Python, or MATLAB are highly desired.
• Experience with battery production or R&D
• 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)

Physical Demands

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

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 50%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying

• Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 35 lbs.: Frequent
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Frequent

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.

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.