Sr. Facilities Mechanical Engineer

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, 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 Senior Facilities Mechanical Engineer supports the operation, maintenance, performance, design, and optimization of mechanical facility systems, including central utility plants, HVAC, plumbing, and associated controls. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and is recognized for independent judgment and technical expertise in solving complex system challenges. The position influences engineering direction and impacts major facility programs by driving reliability improvements, supporting expansion projects, and ensuring systems operate safely and efficiently. The role partners closely with Operations & Maintenance, Production, and Engineering teams to troubleshoot issues, implement best practices, and deliver innovative solutions that support occupant safety, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), production reliability, and energy efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related engineering field (e.g., Aerospace, Chemical, Industrial Engineering)
7+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Design, MEP Construction Coordination, Facilities Engineering, and/or Project Management, including leadership or mentoring responsibilities
Experience with Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) interfaces
Demonstrated ability to evaluate, operate, and optimize complex, integrated facility systems across mechanical, controls, and production environments
Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, influence decisions, and drive results across cross-functional teams without direct authority
Strong technical leadership and engineering judgment, with the ability to solve complex or ambiguous problems and implement effective solutions
Experience reviewing and interpreting complex design and construction documents using tools such as AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and/or Visio to support project execution and system improvements
Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong initiative, accountability, and follow-through
Experience using data analysis, trending, or fault detection tools to identify issues and drive system performance improvements
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)

Nice To Haves

Relevant and extensive on-site work experience with central plants and related mechanical equipment, mechatronics/automation engineering, and/or developing and executing reliability programs for same
Applicable professional certifications or licenses such as Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Professional Engineer (PE), or other relevant credentials
10+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Design, MEP Construction Coordination, Facilities Engineering, and/or Project Management within industrial or advanced manufacturing environments
Experience supporting the mechanical design and/or construction of large-scale facilities, preferably in advanced manufacturing or high-volume production environments (e.g., battery, electronics, automotive, energy storage)
Experience working with specialized environments such as cleanroom and/or dry room systems
Experience leading or supporting energy efficiency, sustainability, or system optimization initiatives
Experience managing projects within scope, schedule, and budget, and developing or maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Basic understanding of control loop (PID) tuning

Responsibilities

Support the operation, performance, design, and installation of mechanical facility systems, including HVAC (air and hydronic), exhaust, plumbing, and process/chemical distribution systems and associated controls
Lead complex troubleshooting and resolution of mechanical system issues using advanced engineering expertise
Drive innovation in mechanical system applications and improvements across facility infrastructure
Manage or lead large, complex projects or programs and contribute to project strategy for facility expansions and upgrades related to mechanical equipment, including chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, heat exchangers, compressors, air handling systems, cleanroom and dry room systems, dust collectors, CRAC units, and associated PLC/SCADA systems
Conduct routine assessments of system performance through field rounds, testing, and data analysis to ensure reliability and functionality
Leverage the expertise of Facilities personnel to identify and resolve highly complex system performance issues
Provide strategic technical direction to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance
Champion innovation by driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on energy efficiency and IEQ
Utilize automated fault detection and diagnostic tools to identify performance issues and prevent early equipment failure
Collaborate with O&M and Production teams to troubleshoot root causes of utility and system performance issues
Analyze system data and operational trends to recommend and implement optimization strategies
Train and mentor junior facilities staff on mechanical systems, troubleshooting techniques, and safety practices
Provide technical leadership across teams by sharing expertise and best practices
Develop, update, and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training documentation, and system records
Support team development by contributing to technical training, knowledge sharing, and process improvement
Lead cross-functional collaboration with O&M, Production, Engineering, and external stakeholders to ensure reliable facility operations
Present technical recommendations, system performance insights, and improvement strategies to senior leadership
Coordinate maintenance activities, shutdowns, and emergency response efforts to minimize disruption to operations
Build relationships with internal teams, external vendors, and other sites to drive alignment and share best practices
Support facility design and expansion projects by reviewing system designs, sequences of operations, and controls integration
Communicate with vendors and service providers to ensure quality execution and performance
Conduct audits of supplier work to ensure compliance with standards and expectations
Ensure compliance with company safety policies, environmental regulations, and operational standards
Promote a safe work environment by enforcing safety procedures and best practices
Maintain accurate documentation, calibration records, and maintenance logs to support audits and inspections
Uphold 6S standards by maintaining clean, organized, and hazard-free work areas
Respond rapidly and effectively to emergency situations, including equipment failures, fire events, or evacuations

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans
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