Process Engineer I

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America

De Soto (KS)

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America is hiring a Process Engineer I to support manufacturing of lithium-ion cells at the De Soto, Kansas facility. This entry‑level role focuses on defect reduction, data‑driven problem solving, and equipment efficiency within a structured cell manufacturing environment.

Under supervision, you will contribute to process improvement, SOPs, and cross‑functional collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and maintenance teams while building foundational

Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a manufacturing/industrial/technical engineering field.
Strong foundations in process engineering, data analysis, and problem solving.
Good communication skills and ability to work with cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

Applies basic engineering principles, standard procedures, and documented methodologies to support cell manufacturing processes
Supports tasks in process improvement, equipment optimization, and manufacturing support projects
Assists with monitoring, auditing, and validating manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with specifications and standards
Supports documentation efforts, including SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides

Skills

Process engineering

Data analysis

Communication

English language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SPC

FMEA

Excel

Job description

Overview

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

Process Engineer I

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Meet the Recruiter: Denise Goetz

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.

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.

Job Summary

The Process Engineer I supports continuous improvement initiatives within cell manufacturing under close supervision and guidance. This role focuses on defect reduction, specification validation, new material or model support, and equipment efficiency through the application of basic engineering principles and established processes. The Process Engineer I impacts their own work and immediate team by contributing to clearly defined tasks within projects, supporting data‑driven problem solving, and assisting with process optimization efforts. As part of Panasonic’s Cell and Process Engineering team, this position operates within a structured, full‑cycle engineering environment while developing foundational technical and manufacturing competencies.

Essential Duties

Functional Operations:

Applies basic engineering principles, standard procedures, and documented methodologies to support cell manufacturing processes
Supports assigned tasks within process improvement, equipment optimization, and manufacturing support projects
Assists with monitoring, auditing, and validating manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with specifications and standards
Supports documentation efforts, including SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

Works on clearly defined process improvement tasks under supervision to support defect reduction, productivity, quality, cost, and OEE improvements
Collects, analyzes, and summarizes production and process data using existing tools and systems
Applies established process engineering tools (e.g., SPC, basic FMEA concepts, standard problem‑solving methods) to identify trends and opportunities
Assists in implementing approved process changes and countermeasures in production environments

Training & Team Support

Learns process engineering practices, manufacturing standards, and site‑specific technologies through hands‑on experience and mentorship
Seeks guidance from senior engineers and subject matter experts to build technical depth and manufacturing knowledge
Participates in training related to safety, quality systems, equipment operation, and engineering tools

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

Communicates within the immediate team and functional partners using established communication channels
Supports collaboration with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams when addressing routine issues
Follows established escalation paths and procedures for technical issues and process deviations

Quality, Safety, & Compliance

Adheres to all safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements
Supports quality investigations, corrective actions, and process validations as directed
Follows standard operating procedures and safety protocols, including PPE requirements
Contributes to maintaining a safe, compliant, and high‑quality manufacturing environment

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

Required

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical field

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree coursework or academic projects focused on manufacturing, process engineering, materials, automation, or data analysis
Six Sigma Green Belt certification or progress toward certification

Essential Qualifications

Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles, with the ability to apply them in a manufacturing or industrial environment
Ability to apply structured problem‑solving and analytical thinking to clearly defined technical challenges under supervision
Basic familiarity with manufacturing, process, or industrial engineering concepts, including process flow, variation, and standardization
Working knowledge of basic data analysis techniques and engineering tools (e.g., spreadsheets, charts, statistical summaries)
Ability to read, interpret, and follow technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and standard operating procedures
Demonstrated ability to learn new processes, tools, and technologies through training, mentorship, and hands‑on application
Effective verbal and written communication skills within a team‑based and cross‑functional environment
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

2+ years of engineering experience gained through internships, co‑ops, academic projects, or entry‑level roles in manufacturing or industrial environments
Exposure to high‑volume, highly automated manufacturing environments, including battery, electronics, automotive, or energy storage industries
Familiarity with basic process engineering and continuous improvement tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, Lean, Six Sigma concepts)
Experience using data analysis or visualization tools such as Excel, Minitab, JMP, or similar
Exposure to production equipment, industrial automation systems, PLC‑controlled machinery, or manufacturing execution systems (MES)
Basic understanding of lithium‑ion battery manufacturing processes, materials, or electrochemical principles

Physical Demands

Physical Activities:

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