Process Engineer

Overview

Join Panasonic Energy as a Process Engineer I in De Soto, Kansas. Help push the limits of battery technology, enhance performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation, and contribute to the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory.

Responsibilities

• Process Engineer I supports continuous improvement initiatives within cell manufacturing under supervision and guidance.
• Focus on defect reduction, specification validation, new material or model support, and equipment efficiency through basic engineering principles and established processes.
• Contribute to clearly defined tasks within projects, support data-driven problem solving, and assist with process optimization efforts.
• Work within Panasonic’s Cell and Process Engineering team in 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 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: PPE use may include items such as protective clothing, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and other required gear as applicable.

Qualifications

Education, Certifications, and Licenses
:

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

Preferred

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

Essential Qualifications

• Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles and ability to apply them in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• 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.,…