Equipment Specialist II

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America in De Soto, Kansas, is seeking an Equipment Specialist II to enhance equipment reliability and drive continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing platforms.

The role focuses on advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions to support safe, productive operations while mentoring junior team members and collaborating with engineering and production teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical diagnostic skills.
• Experience in improving equipment reliability and performance.

Responsibilities

• Independently troubleshoot, repair, and maintain manufacturing equipment with minimal supervision.
• Interpret drawings and specifications to support maintenance and modifications.
• Lead problem-solving using PDCA and root cause analysis to reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate improvements and ensure operational readiness.

Skills

Equipment maintenance

Mechanical systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Process improvement

Tools

Excel

Tableau

JMP

MES

Job description

Overview

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

Summary:

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.

Job Summary

The Equipment Specialist II is a fully proficient technical specialist responsible for improving equipment reliability, reducing defects, increasing productivity, and supporting safe manufacturing operations through advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement activities. This role independently diagnoses and resolves complex equipment issues, implements corrective and preventive actions, and provides technical support across multiple manufacturing processes and equipment platforms. Working closely with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams, the Equipment Specialist II utilizes mechanical expertise, controls knowledge, and data analysis to drive equipment performance and operational excellence. The position serves as a key technical resource and mentor to developing team members while supporting the execution of engineering and process improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties

Functional Operations:

• Independently troubleshoot, repair, and maintain manufacturing equipment with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of assigned production equipment, machine functions, and manufacturing processes
• Recover equipment following failures, repairs, upgrades, and improvement activities and verify operational readiness
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic electrical system issues
• Utilize machine knowledge to identify mechanisms contributing to defects, alarms, downtime, and performance losses
• Install, test, and validate equipment improvements, modifications, and engineering changes
• Interpret mechanical and electrical drawings to support troubleshooting, maintenance, and equipment modifications
• Utilize precision measurement equipment including dial indicators, calipers, micrometers, and other specialized diagnostic tools
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of troubleshooting activities, repairs, equipment modifications, and project work

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Lead PDCA-based problem-solving activities and root cause investigations
• Perform root cause analysis and develop both immediate countermeasures and permanent corrective actions
• Analyze equipment, process, and production data to identify trends, correlations, and improvement opportunities
• Utilize tools such as Excel, Tableau, JMP, MES, or equivalent systems to support decision-making and issue resolution
• Drive initiatives focused on defect reduction, downtime reduction, equipment reliability, and productivity improvement
• Identify and prioritize equipment performance issues and develop action plans to address recurring problems
• Support engineering teams in validating equipment performance, process improvements, and technical solutions
• Escalate systemic or high-risk issues as appropriate while recommending corrective actions

Training & Team Support

• Provide technical guidance and support to Equipment Specialist I team members and other operational personnel
• Demonstrate and teach proper troubleshooting methods, equipment recovery procedures, and precision measurement techniques
• Assist with onboarding, technical training, certifications, and skill development activities
• Share best practices, lessons learned, and technical knowledge across shifts and teams
• Provide accurate and comprehensive shift pass