Process Engineer I
About The Position
The Process Engineer I supports continuous improvement initiatives in 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 within Panasonic’s Cell and Process Engineering team while developing foundational technical and manufacturing competencies. The position supports manufacturing process monitoring and validation, process and equipment improvement work, data collection and analysis, documentation, and approved production changes. It works with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering partners, follows established escalation procedures, and adheres to safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements. This is an onsite position at Panasonic Energy’s facility in De Soto, Kansas. Work may require PPE, including a Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, or a hazmat suit with respirator. The role involves sitting 20% of the workday, walking 50%, and standing 30%; lifting up to 10 and 20 pounds is frequent, up to 35 pounds is occasional, and team lifting over 35 pounds is occasional.
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.
- 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.
- 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 English proficiency, 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 have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.
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.
- Two or more 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 process engineering and continuous improvement tools such as SPC, FMEA, Lean, or Six Sigma concepts.
- Experience with 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 in process improvement, equipment optimization, and manufacturing support projects.
- Assist with monitoring, auditing, and validating manufacturing processes for compliance with specifications and standards.
- Support preparation and maintenance of SOPs, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides.
- Complete clearly defined process improvement tasks under supervision to support defect reduction, productivity, quality, cost, and OEE improvements.
- Collect, analyze, and summarize production and process data using existing tools and systems.
- Use established process engineering tools, including SPC, basic FMEA concepts, and standard problem-solving methods, to identify trends and opportunities.
- Assist in 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.
- Participate in training related to safety, quality systems, equipment operation, and engineering tools.
- Communicate with the immediate team and functional partners through established channels.
- Support collaboration with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams to address routine issues.
- Follow established escalation paths and procedures for technical issues and process deviations.
- Adhere to safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including SOPs, 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.
Benefits
- Competitive salaries and benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
