Machine Operator

Job Description

Kick Off 2026 With a Career That Matters! Why settle for ordinary when you can help change the world? Panasonic Energy is launching a groundbreaking factory in De Soto, Kansas, and we're looking for dedicated team members to join us on-site. This is your chance to start the year strong with a role that offers growth, impact, and the excitement of shaping the future of sustainable energy.

Ready to make 2026 unforgettable? Join us today!

Interested in meeting us in person? We now offer walk-in interview hours Monday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm CST at our recruiting office located at 10900 South Clay Blair Boulevard in Olathe, KS 66061. Bring your resume, learn more about this exciting opportunity, and get ready to make a difference with us.

Full-time, on-site team members at our new state-of-the-art factory located in the thriving city of DeSoto, Kansas.

Machine Operator is responsible for operating automated high-speed lithium-ion battery production machines within clean-room environments. Responsibilities include machine maintenance, ensuring the cleanliness of work areas, and facilitating the safe and efficient production of high-quality batteries. Additionally, machine operators perform basic equipment cleaning and maintenance procedures.

• Initiate, operate, recover, and shut down machines
• Diagnose and troubleshoot machine errors following specified escalation procedures.
• Utilize hand tools and precision measuring instruments to perform basic maintenance and uphold quality control standards.
• Perform duties and responsibilities in strict adherence to safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean and secure work area following the 6S principles (Sort, Shine, Set in Order, Standardize, Sustain, Safety).
• Understanding of department workflows and processes
• Ensure the prompt fulfillment of requests and the timely delivery of materials, supplies, and spare parts to the production floor.
• Provide assistance to Maintenance Technicians in executing basic preventative maintenance procedures.
• Monitor processes and conduct continuous image inspections and visual quality checks to ensure compliance with acceptance standards.
• Ability to execute work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Complete end of day reporting and documentation as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and maintenance, to identify and resolve quality issues in a timely manner.
• Report quality issues, concerns, or deviations from standards to Supervisors and Engineers in a timely manner.
• Maintain detailed inspection, quality issues and deviation records as required.
• Ensure adherence to quality, general plant and PECNA policies and procedures.
• Ensure area cleanliness and 6S standards are met.
• Ability to train others at same or lower level within functional area.
• Ability to work all scheduled shifts.
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role.
• No authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, reward, or discipline other employees.

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is mandatory including equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. Respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

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.

Education

• Required:
  
  High school diploma, GED or 2 years of prior experience in functional area

Essential Qualifications

• Proficient in the English language, encompassing adeptness in reading, writing, and verbal communication.
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role
• Prior exposure to a manufacturing/production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-2 years of prior experience in functional area
• Demonstrated Standard Work and Job Instruction training completion, including familiarity with Kaizen and active participation in Standard Work Improvement activities.
• Proficiency with hand tools, technical instructions, and quality control.

Preferred License(s): None

Preferred Certification(s): None

Physical

Activities:

During the standard workday, the employee must be capable of performing the specified activities for 100% of the workday, including:

• Sit: 5%
• Walk: 10%
• Stand: 75%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Not required (0%), Occasional (1%-33%), Frequent (34%-66%), Continuous (67%-100%)

Employee must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move:

• Up to 10 lbs.:
  
  Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.:
  Frequent
• Up to 35 lbs.:
  Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs) Occasional

Panasonic…