Process Engineer I

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Engineer I supports continuous improvement initiatives within cell manufacturing under close supervision and guidance. The role focuses on defect reduction, specification validation, new material or model support, and equipment efficiency using basic engineering principles and established processes. The engineer contributes to defined project tasks, data-driven problem solving, and process optimization while developing foundational technical and manufacturing competencies as part of Panasonic’s Cell and Process Engineering team. The position supports cell manufacturing processes, process improvement and equipment optimization projects, manufacturing process monitoring and validation, and the preparation of SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides. It also supports analysis of production data and implementation of approved process changes and countermeasures. The role collaborates with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams and follows established procedures for safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory compliance. The position is onsite at Panasonic Energy’s facility in De Soto, Kansas. PPE may be required and may include a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, or a full hazmat suit with respirator. Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical field.
Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles and ability to apply them in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Ability to apply structured problem-solving and analytical thinking to clearly defined technical challenges under supervision.
Basic familiarity with manufacturing, process, or industrial engineering concepts, including process flow, variation, and standardization.
Working knowledge of basic data analysis techniques and engineering tools, such as spreadsheets, charts, and statistical summaries.
Ability to read, interpret, and follow technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and standard operating procedures.
Demonstrated ability to learn new processes, tools, and technologies through training, mentorship, and hands-on application.
Effective verbal and written communication skills in a team-based and cross-functional environment.
Working-level knowledge of English, including reading, writing, and speaking.
Alignment with Panasonic’s seven core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restriction.
Must complete pre-employment drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree coursework or academic projects focused on manufacturing, process engineering, materials, automation, or data analysis.
Six Sigma Green Belt certification or progress toward certification.
2+ years of engineering experience through internships, co-ops, academic projects, or entry-level roles in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Exposure to high-volume, highly automated manufacturing environments, including battery, electronics, automotive, or energy storage industries.
Familiarity with basic process engineering and continuous improvement tools, such as SPC, FMEA, Lean, and Six Sigma concepts.
Experience using data analysis or visualization tools such as Excel, Minitab, JMP, or similar.
Exposure to production equipment, industrial automation systems, PLC-controlled machinery, or manufacturing execution systems (MES).
Basic understanding of lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, materials, or electrochemical principles.

Responsibilities

Apply basic engineering principles, standard procedures, and documented methodologies to support cell manufacturing processes.
Support assigned tasks within process improvement, equipment optimization, and manufacturing support projects.
Assist with monitoring, auditing, and validating manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with specifications and standards.
Support documentation efforts, including SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides.
Work on defined process-improvement tasks under supervision to support defect reduction and productivity, quality, cost, and OEE improvements.
Collect, analyze, and summarize production and process data using existing tools and systems.
Apply established process engineering tools, including SPC, basic FMEA concepts, and standard problem-solving methods, to identify trends and opportunities.
Assist with implementing approved process changes and countermeasures in production environments.
Learn process engineering practices, manufacturing standards, and site-specific technologies through hands-on experience and mentorship.
Seek guidance from senior engineers and subject matter experts to build technical depth and manufacturing knowledge.
Participate in training related to safety, quality systems, equipment operation, and engineering tools.
Communicate with the immediate team and functional partners using established communication channels.
Support collaboration with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams when addressing routine issues.
Follow established escalation paths and procedures for technical issues and process deviations.
Adhere to safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and PPE requirements.
Support quality investigations, corrective actions, and process validations as directed.
Contribute to maintaining a safe, compliant, and high-quality manufacturing environment.