Controls Engineer

Overview

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

Controls Engineer I

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 Controls Engineer I supports the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of automation systems—such as Keyence vision systems and PLCs including Mitsubishi and Omron—within Panasonic’s battery manufacturing operations. Working under close supervision and guidance, this role assists in analyzing equipment specifications and production requirements to contribute to the design and implementation of efficient manufacturing solutions. The engineer collaborates with immediate team members and cross-functional partners to develop, test, and validate system designs, ensuring alignment with defined technical and economic constraints.

Responsibilities also include supporting the preparation of detailed schematics, assisting with prototype builds, and contributing to technical evaluations and data analysis that impact the engineer’s own work and the effectiveness of the immediate team.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Apply basic controls engineering principles and standard procedures to support automation activities within Panasonic’s battery manufacturing operations
• Assist with the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of Keyence vision systems used in manufacturing processes
• Support the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of PLC systems, including Mitsubishi and Omron platforms, under guidance from senior engineers
• Analyze product and equipment specifications to support design solutions compatible with existing manufacturing facilities and methods

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Execute clearly defined controls engineering tasks as part of larger projects, working under close supervision
• Apply established engineering processes, tools, and templates to support equipment modifications, system improvements, and troubleshooting efforts
• Assist in evaluating the feasibility of equipment changes or facility modifications by gathering data related to cost, space, schedule, and technical constraints
• Support experimental test programs by helping with planning activities, data collection, and documentation

Training & Team Support:

• Learn controls engineering best practices through hands-on work, mentorship, and on-the-job training from experienced engineers
• Receive guidance and feedback to build proficiency in automation standards, tools, and manufacturing requirements
• Support team objectives by reliably completing assigned tasks and incorporating lessons learned into future work

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Communicate technical information primarily within the immediate engineering team, following established procedures and documentation standards
• Support coordination with research, manufacturing, and engineering personnel to clarify requirements or resolve routine technical issues
• Assist in preparing product or system layouts, drawings, and schematics in collaboration with senior team members

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Follow all applicable safety, quality, and engineering standards when supporting automation system design, testing, and…