Manager, Materials Engineering

Panasonic•Sparks, NV

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Panasonic Energy is seeking a Manager, Materials Engineering, reporting to the Director of Materials Engineering. This position will lead programs to establish and qualify multiple sources of key battery materials for Panasonic Energy’s North American lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing operations. The Manager will oversee the full material-development and introduction lifecycle, including initial technical feasibility assessment, laboratory evaluation of physical and chemical properties, production-scale trials, qualification, and implementation. The role will lead a technical team and coordinate closely with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders in Engineering, Production, Quality, Procurement, Maintenance, and global development organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline.
8+ years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, materials science, material development, manufacturing, supplier quality, or a related technical field, including at least 3years of formal people management, supervisory, or substantial technical leadership experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of lithium-ion battery materials, manufacturing processes, or associated supply chains.
Experience supporting the sourcing, development, qualification, or industrialization of raw materials.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional, geographically distributed, and global teams to execute complex technical programs in a fast-paced environment with evolving business priorities.
Demonstrated ability to develop people, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and build team capability.
Strong program and project-management skills, including resource planning, milestone management, risk identification, prioritization, status reporting, and delivery against deadlines.
Ability to interpret complex technical data, apply strong analytical and problem-solving judgement, and make sound, timely, and well-documented recommendations or decisions.
Ability to prepare clear technical reports, project timelines, process flows, and presentations tailored to technical, operational, and executive audiences.
Ability to quickly learn and apply new technical concepts, prioritize competing technical and leadership responsibilities, and deliver results within tight project timelines.
Ability to drive results while overcoming the challenges associated with collaboration across global teams.
Pre-employment drug testing is required.
All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline is highly desirable. PhD preferred.
5+ years of direct people-management experience or technical-leadership experience.
Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, particularly lithium-ion batteries, electronic devices, chemicals, or advanced materials.
Experience with lithium-ion battery materials and cell-manufacturing processes.
Experience identifying, developing, qualifying, and industrializing new material suppliers from initial sampling through mass production.
Experience collaborating directly with domestic and international suppliers and global procurement organizations.
Working knowledge of Six Sigma, design of experiments, statistical process control, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
Proficiency with analytical or statistical tools such as JMP, Minitab, Python, or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of assigned cross-functional programs to develop, qualify, and implement a resilient North American supply chain for key battery materials.
Establish program scope, milestones, timelines, decision points, resource requirements, risk registers, and technical reporting expectations.
Direct material evaluation activities from initial technical feasibility assessment through laboratory analysis, production trials, qualification, and mass-production implementation.
Coordinate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, global development teams, and supplier-quality organizations to deliver program objectives.
Ensure appropriate laboratory capabilities, analytical methods, and resources support the safe, accurate, and timely evaluation of material properties required for development and qualification.
Lead the development, validation, and implementation of new or improved analytical methods, working internally and with suppliers as appropriate.
Maintain productive technical relationships with prospective and existing suppliers to facilitate qualification and project execution.
Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Procurement teams to plan, execute, and evaluate production trials.
Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Panasonic Energy’s material-introduction process.
Provide concise, data-driven updates to senior leadership regarding program status, technical results, risks, decisions, and required actions.
Identify program risks and escalate technical, schedule, quality, supply, and resource concerns sufficiently early to support effective decision-making.
Frequent (weekly) communication with teams in Japan regarding development progress, challenges, and paths forward (must be able to work effectively across time-zone differences).
Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain a technically capable and collaborative team of engineers, supervisors, and other assigned personnel.
Establish clear responsibilities, priorities, performance expectations, and development plans for the Materials Engineering team.
Plan and assign work, monitor execution, provide timely coaching and feedback, appraise performance, recognize contributions, and address performance or conduct concerns in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Develop short-term and mid-term team plans aligned with business objectives and material-development priorities.
Manage resources within approved plans, including team budget, staffing, equipment, and other resources required to meet approved program objectives.
Build organizational capability through technical mentoring, leadership development, and appropriate delegation.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, technical rigor, continuous improvement, and timely execution.

Benefits

Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus 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
Free Shuttle: Rides to and from work!