Controls Engineering Technician Supervisor

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

4d • 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.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in a technical, engineering, manufacturing, automation, mechatronics, industrial technology, or related field
• Relevant experience may be substituted for required education
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience leading technicians, maintenance personnel, manufacturing teams, or other technical personnel in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Experience assigning, prioritizing, and coordinating work in a shift-based manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Experience troubleshooting electrical systems up to 480VAC and electromechanical control systems
• Advanced understanding of PLC software such as Mitsubishi, Omron, Keyence, and Sysmac, with proficiency in PLC fundamentals and the ability to follow logic for troubleshooting
• Advanced understanding and troubleshooting ability for vision systems
• Knowledge of servo drive/motor fault diagnosis, tuning, and replacement
• Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, manuals, and SOPs and apply them to troubleshooting activities
• Training and experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Ability to utilize loss trees (OEE breakdown), improvement backlogs, and operational metrics to manage performance and drive improvements
• Strong documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while delivering quality results in a fast-paced environment
• Working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking
• 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification
• Control Systems Technician (CCST) certification
• NFPA 70E Electrical Safety certification or training
• Industrial automation, PLC, robotics, or machine vision certifications (Mitsubishi, Omron, Keyence, Cognex, Yaskawa, etc.)
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience leading technical, maintenance, automation, or manufacturing teams within an industrial environment
• Experience supervising controls, automation, maintenance, electrical, mechatronics, or engineering technician teams
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (1M+ units per day) such as battery, electronics, automotive, or related manufacturing operations
• Experience with industrial automation software and tools such as GC-Configurator, IAI Software, MPE720, MR Configurator 2, SigmaWin 7, or similar platforms
• Experience utilizing Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), industrial databases, or data analysis tools to support manufacturing operations
• Knowledge of wire and cable sizing, termination, and electrical load requirements
• Knowledge of industrial machinery design and applicable NFPA, UL, OSHA, and related safety standards
• Familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies and continuous improvement tools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) for reporting and analysis

Responsibilities

• Leads a team of CET Technicians (I / II / III) supporting controls and vision systems across all of Panasonic's battery production processes during the assigned shift
• Oversees support related to daily production activities and the escalation of line issues
• Directs the team in the initial isolation and recovery of issues (electrical / controls / mechanical), including identification, investigation, and troubleshooting of line problems
• Ensures equipment functionality is restored after work completion and that verification of normal operation (determination that equipment is "good to run" and testing prior to re-introduction) is properly performed
• Provides technical guidance and oversight to technicians performing troubleshooting activities involving PLCs (Mitsubishi, Omron, Keyence, etc.), vision systems, robot vision systems, equipment monitoring systems, and industrial control networks including DeviceNet, MechatroLink, EtherCAT, and CC-Link
• Manages the team to safely and reliably perform servo drive/motor fault diagnosis, tuning, and replacement, as well as troubleshooting of electrical systems up to 480VAC and electromechanical control systems
• Serves as the primary escalation point during the assigned shift for complex controls and automation issues impacting production, quality, reliability, or safety, and escalates appropriately to the Controls Engineering Manager as needed
• Ensures the team applies electrical drawings, specifications, manuals, and schematics as troubleshooting tools
• Manages shift staffing, resource allocation, and workload to support operational and safety objectives
• Leads and supports the development of new processes and methods to reduce downtime and defects
• Plans and executes daily / weekly / monthly action items together with the team
• Conducts Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and collaborates with the engineering team to derive and implement countermeasures
• Manages loss trees (OEE breakdown) and improvement backlogs, and quantitatively monitors improvement results
• Identifies and supports process improvement opportunities, contributing to equipment reliability, product quality, throughput, and cost optimization
• Supports the implementation and adherence to established controls engineering standards, troubleshooting procedures, and best practices within the technician team
• Collaborates with engineering and cross-functional teams to identify recurring issues and support implementation of permanent corrective actions
• Plans and provides training to Tech I and Tech II to continuously enhance the team's technical skills
• Supports the development, administration, and continuous improvement of technician training and certification programs (QET, CCST, YRC1000, etc.)
• Guides the development of clear, standard work instructions, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides
• Identifies technical competency gaps and implements training and development to strengthen team capability
• Promotes a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning
• Leads by example with a strong work ethic and a "get the job done" approach, executing a high-performance culture and servant leadership
• Ensures complete and accurate records are maintained for all work performed on equipment and machinery
• Communicates quickly and accurately with related divisions and team members (e.g., Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Control, EHS) and collaborates effectively
• Partners with operators and maintenance technicians to support equipment recovery efforts and provide technical guidance on troubleshooting and repair methods
• Manages a system to accurately and usefully hand over incomplete tasks to the next shift
• Collaborates with equipment suppliers, automation integrators, and external technical partners to support operational improvements
• Reports and communicates production status, technical risks, issues, and countermeasures to the Controls Engineering Manager and relevant stakeholders
• Ensures technician work activities follow established processes for controls modifications, system validation, documentation control, and configuration management
• Leads the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks associated with automation systems, equipment performance, safety, electrical safety (arc flash / LOTO, etc.), and regulatory compliance
• Enforces processes for controls modifications, system validation, documentation control, and configuration management
• Promotes compliance with NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, UL standards, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory requirements
• Leads and supports root cause investigations, corrective actions, and preventive actions related to automation, equipment, and manufacturing performance issues
• Directly supervises Controls Engineering Technician I / II / III on the assigned shift
• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, performance management, coaching, employee development, succession planning, and disciplinary actions in accordance with company policies
• Establishes team goals, performance expectations, and development plans to build a high-performing technician team
• Manages cross-shift workload, resource allocation, staffing plans, and shift handovers to support day and night shift members

Benefits

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree