Mechanical Design Engineer II

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Benefits

401(k) plan with company matching

Tuition reimbursement

Paid Time-Off Benefits

Employee Recognition Program

Annual Bonus Program

On-site Food Options

Job summary

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer II to support facility design and construction for its new lithium-ion battery factory in De Soto, Kansas. The engineer will focus on HVAC and dry process systems, applying engineering principles in a fast-paced environment while collaborating with various teams to optimize building project quality and performance.

A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 2+ years of relevant experience are required. Join us in contributing to sustainable energy solutions and revolutionizing the future of electric vehicles.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in engineering, facilities, HVAC design, and/or industrial automation.
• Strong 3D CAD design and drafting skills.
• Familiarity with ASHRAE standards and HVAC design calculation methods.

Responsibilities

• Review equipment submittals and respond to RFIs.
• Perform field observation walks and review construction status.
• Collaborate with Mechanical trade partners for installation of mechanical systems.

Skills

3D CAD design

HVAC design

Engineering principles

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Job description

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Mechanical Design Engineer? 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

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. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions.

Mechanical Design Engineer II

(Link to additional information omitted)

Job Summary

The Mechanical Design Engineer II will primarily support building facility design and construction efforts, with an emphasis on building HVAC and dry process systems. The role focuses on design and construction administration activities, such as implementing design updates to the existing building plans in order to optimize cost, quality, and schedule of the building project. The engineer will work closely with internal cross‑functional teams and external construction partners to complete various scopes of the assigned project. The engineer will also support startup and troubleshooting efforts that arise from system commissioning. A strong emphasis will be placed on applying engineering principles to real‑world applications in a fast‑paced facility design and construction environment.

Essential Duties

Functional Operations

• Review equipment submittals and respond to RFIs
• Perform field observation walks, review construction status of mechanical systems, and produce Field Observation Reports
• Collaborate with Mechanical trade partners to ensure issue identification, prioritization, and resolution for installation of mechanical systems
• Support troubleshooting and start‑up of mechanical systems/equipment through engineering expertise
• Improve and refine the design of building dry mechanical and HVAC systems
• Size building ductwork and piping systems and perform heating/cooling load calculations
• Perform front‑end engineering efforts and redline drawings to help develop project scopes
• Produce construction design drawings using REVIT, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam
• Set up and/or participate in design deliverable interim reviews for various scopes
• Review and edit mechanical specifications

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Create/modify building mechanical design standards and specifications (CSI format)
• Improve and refine mechanical system designs to optimize cost, schedule, and quality

Training & Team Support

• Support startup, commissioning, and system troubleshooting alongside internal teams and construction partners

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with various stakeholders and multi‑disciplinary engineers to assess design requirements for building mechanical systems (room conditions, tooling needs, life safety, hazardous exhaust, etc.)
• Coordinate with internal teams and external construction partners to support the execution of assigned project scopes

Quality, Safety, & Compliance

• Perform QA/QC of mechanical design deliverables
• Ensure mechanical designs and construction activities comply with applicable codes, standards, and internal specifications

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

Required

Education, Certifications, and Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field

Preferred

• EIT or P.E. preferred; pursuing P.E. licensure is encouraged but not required

Essential Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in engineering, facilities, HVAC design, and/or industrial automation
• Strong 3D CAD design and drafting skills, preferably in Revit, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam
• Experience with ASHRAE standards and HVAC design calculation methods
• Working knowledge of building mechanical codes
• Proficient in mechanical design development, troubleshooting, and data analysis
• Ability to collaborate effectively with consultants and subcontractors to resolve constructability issues
• Understanding of mechanical technical specifications (CSI format), contract drawings, and construction documentation processes for mechanical systems with emphasis on HVAC system
• Familiarity with Construction Administration processes (RFIs, submittals, change orders, commissioning, punch list, inspections, turn‑over)
• Experience breaking down complex technical problems into actionable tasks
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Strong teamwork and communication skills across all organizational levels
• High willingness to learn
• Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
• 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)

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, machine design, and/or industrial automation
• Experience in lithium‑ion battery manufacturing or a high‑volume precision production environment
• Experience with dry cleanroom design
• Familiarity with MES systems and Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Experience with advanced modeling tools (thermodynamic CFD modeling, point cloud scanning, clash detection in Navisworks)
• Strong understanding of building codes (IMC, IPC, NFPA, ASHRAE)
• Familiarity with SMACNA standards

Physical Demands

Physical Activities

• Sit: 10%
• Walk: 45%
• Stand: 45%

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.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team‑lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional

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.

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.