Manufacturing Engineer III

Panasonic • De Soto, KS

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer III is an experienced individual contributor who serves as a technical leader across multiple projects and teams, operating with minimal oversight in a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role provides advanced manufacturing engineering expertise, leading medium-sized projects and driving complex process and equipment improvements. The Manufacturing Engineer III independently resolves multi-variable technical challenges, develops and validates manufacturing standards, and mentors junior engineers while collaborating cross-functionally to improve safety, quality, and operational performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related STEM field
• 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to operate with limited supervision and independently lead complex technical initiatives
• Proven experience leading medium-sized projects with responsibility for scope, schedule, and results
• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, equipment, and process optimization strategies
• Advanced problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex, multi-variable issues
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, including the ability to present to management
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership
• 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)
• 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 Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related field
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level continuous improvement initiatives
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) strongly preferred
• Advanced training or certification in automation systems, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems integration
• Project leadership or project management certification (e.g., PMP, equivalent internal program, or formal project leadership training)
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification (or equivalent advanced safety training)
• 6+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing or related industries (automotive, electronics, energy storage)
• Advanced experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Proven success leading equipment upgrades, automation integration, or commissioning projects
• Strong background in quality systems, statistical analysis, and process capability improvement
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction across multiple teams or projects

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates deep technical expertise in a defined manufacturing, process, equipment, or automation domain
• Develops, validates, and maintains manufacturing standards, best practices, and technical documentation
• Leads medium-sized process improvement, equipment upgrade, or automation projects, managing scope, budgets, and timelines
• Independently evaluates manufacturing system performance and recommends data-driven technical solutions
• Serves as a subject matter expert for complex manufacturing or equipment-related issues
• Independently handles complex, multi-variable manufacturing, quality, and equipment problems
• Leads process improvement initiatives that introduce new methods, tools, or technologies
• Drives systemic improvements to improve throughput, yield, reliability, and cost performance
• Applies advanced problem-solving methodologies and statistical tools to improve process capability and stability
• Ensures sustainable implementation of improvements through standardization and documentation
• Mentors Manufacturing Engineer I and II team members through technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing
• May lead small project teams or cross-functional technical working groups
• Supports development of engineering capability through best practice sharing and technical reviews
• Acts as a technical escalation point for junior engineers
• Collaborates across departments including Production, Maintenance, Quality, Controls, and Engineering
• Presents technical recommendations, project updates, and risk assessments to management and key stakeholders
• Makes independent technical decisions within area of expertise
• Influences cross-functional alignment on technical strategy, implementation plans, and operational priorities
• Leads adherence to manufacturing quality standards and ensures process conformance to specifications
• Applies advanced quality tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, fault tree analysis) to proactively identify and mitigate risk
• Ensures compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and safety policies
• Integrates safety considerations into process design, equipment changes, and improvement initiatives
• Actively supports site safety initiatives, risk assessments, and equipment commissioning activities
• Properly uses and enforces required personal protective equipment (PPE) as dictated by functional area requirements

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level