Controls Engineer I

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, 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. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering/technical field
Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles, with the ability to apply them to manufacturing automation challenges under guidance
Hands-on exposure to supporting the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of manufacturing image vision systems, such as Keyence or Cognex
Hands-on exposure to supporting the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of ladder-logic–based PLC systems, including Mitsubishi, Omron, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms
Background working in, or academic exposure to, a high-volume manufacturing environment with automated equipment
Foundational understanding of electrical hardware, electrical drawings, sequence control, and software design concepts
Ability to cooperate and work effectively with related departments and cross-functional teams, including coordination with overseas stakeholders, following established communication processes
Ability to apply first-principles thinking, with supervision and guidance, to support troubleshooting and issue resolution
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, data review, and reporting
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)

Nice To Haves

Completion of coursework, academic projects, or capstone design work related to PLCs, industrial automation, robotics, or manufacturing controls
Internship or co-op experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or automation-focused environment
Introductory training or certifications related to industrial controls, PLC platforms, automation systems, or electrical safety (e.g., vendor-based training, OSHA fundamentals)
2+ years of engineering experience gained through internships, co-ops, or entry-level roles in manufacturing or industrial environments
Exposure to high-volume battery manufacturing or related industries such as electronics, automotive, or energy storage
Familiarity with industrial electrical wiring and cabling practices, including basic understanding of conductor sizing, terminations, and load or temperature considerations
Basic knowledge of industrial machinery design standards and related codes, including: NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 79 (Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery) and related UL standards
Awareness of electrical requirements for hazardous locations, such as Class I, Division 2 environments.
Exposure to 480 V control panels and industrial power distribution systems.
Familiarity with control wiring design concepts and documentation practices.
Exposure to energy usage monitoring, efficiency, or optimization concepts in a manufacturing setting
General awareness of applicable U.S. environmental regulations and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requirements relevant to industrial equipment

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
Follow all applicable safety, quality, and engineering standards when supporting automation system design, testing, and troubleshooting activities
Assist in analyzing test data and reports to verify that designs meet defined functional and performance specifications
Support evaluation of engineering test results for potential application to system improvements, while adhering to company policies and compliance requirements

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting
Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave
Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service
Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources
High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus
Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events