Director of Cell and Process Engineering

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

41d • Onsite

About The Position

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. The Director of Cell and Process Engineering leads the cell and process engineering organization within a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple engineering teams responsible for process design, optimization, and technology deployment. The Director develops and implements strategies that improve production capability, quality, and efficiency while ensuring alignment with site and corporate objectives. Through effective leadership, collaboration, and technical excellence, this position drives innovation, standardization, and continuous improvement to support the company’s growth and long-term manufacturing success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of progressive experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or product development within high-volume manufacturing environments
• Proven experience managing multiple engineering teams or functions with accountability for planning and performance
• Demonstrated success developing and executing technical strategies that improve production capability, efficiency, and quality
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
• Recognized expertise in process optimization, automation, and manufacturing system integration
• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving (DOE, SPC, MSA)
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing budgets and capital projects
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering/data systems (e.g., MES, SCADA, SQL, Tableau, Ignition)
• 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

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt
• Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE – ASQ)
• Lean Manufacturing Certification (e.g., Lean Leader)
• Project Management Professional (PMP – PMI)
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE – SME)
• Leadership experience in large-scale battery, electronics, or precision manufacturing industries
• In-depth knowledge of lithium-ion cell design, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Experience implementing Industry 4.0 or digital manufacturing initiatives
• Strong understanding of ISO, IATF, OSHA, and other regulatory standards
• Proficiency in both English and Japanese, enabling effective communication with domestic and international stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead the Cell and Process Engineering organization, overseeing multiple engineering teams, and ensuring alignment with business objectives
• Develop and execute engineering strategies and roadmaps that improve process capability, scalability, and competitiveness
• Drive excellence in process standardization, automation, and manufacturing system integration
• Establish and monitor KPIs and operating systems to ensure data-driven management of complex manufacturing processes
• Oversee capital and resource planning for major process initiatives and equipment upgrades
• Partner with senior leadership to translate business goals into actionable engineering objectives and programs
• Guide innovation initiatives focused on next-generation materials, chemistries, and manufacturing technologies
• Champion continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) to enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency
• Ensure alignment between corporate best practices, site operations, and evolving production strategies
• Promote the use of data analytics and modeling tools to enable predictive and informed decision-making
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-layered team of managers, engineers, and technical specialists
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and professional growth
• Establish workforce development plans, succession strategies, and cross-training programs to strengthen technical capability
• Promote knowledge sharing, consistency, and adoption of best practices across engineering teams
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain functions to ensure readiness and smooth introduction of new products and processes
• Represent the Cell and Process Engineering function in cross-functional planning, audits, and customer or partner engagements
• Provide technical guidance on process scalability, manufacturability, and investment priorities
• Coordinate with peer engineering groups to ensure standardization and leverage shared expertise across departments
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements (ISO, IATF, OSHA, etc.)
• Apply structured risk management frameworks (FMEA, FTA, DRBFM) to identify and mitigate potential risks
• Oversee process control systems and verification measures to ensure product quality and traceability
• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility across all engineering activities
• Leads the Cell and Process Engineering team through both direct supervision and indirect influence

Benefits

• Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance
• Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month
• Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment
• Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning
• Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program
• Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging
• Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees