Quality Engineer I

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Quality Engineer I? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!

Responsibilities

Quality Engineer I

 

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Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey

 

Summary:

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re 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.

 

Job Summary: 

The Quality Engineer I works closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams to support manufacturing quality, investigate routine quality issues, and assist with process improvement initiatives within a battery manufacturing environment. This role applies foundational quality engineering principles and standard quality tools to support process consistency, product quality, and compliance with established standards and procedures. Working under close supervision and guidance, the Quality Engineer I supports defined tasks and projects while developing technical expertise and contributing to the success of the battery manufacturing operation. This role primarily impacts individual work assignments and the immediate team.

 

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Applies basic quality engineering principles, standard methods, and established procedures to support quality activities within assigned production areas
• Assists with the implementation and maintenance of quality standards, procedures, inspections, and controls
• Supports data collection, documentation, and analysis activities for quality and process improvement projects
• Assists with routine investigations of product defects, process deviations, and quality concerns under guidance from more experienced engineers
• Completes assigned tasks and project deliverables while following established processes and work instructions

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Works on clearly defined quality and process improvement tasks under supervision
• Applies existing quality tools and methodologies to support issue identification and process performance monitoring
• Assists with root cause investigations and corrective action activities using structured problem-solving methods
• Supports containment activities, inspections, and verification efforts within assigned production areas
• Participates in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving process stability, and enhancing product quality
• Assists with data analysis and reporting activities using statistical and quality management tools

Training & Team Support:

• Learns from mentors, senior engineers, and other experienced team members
• Receives training and guidance on quality engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and industry standards
• Supports Quality Specialists, Quality Technicians, and Quality Inspectors by providing assistance with routine quality-related activities
• Participates in team improvement efforts and shares knowledge gained through training and project participation

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Communicates primarily within the immediate team and assigned work groups
• Collaborates with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality personnel on routine assignments and issue resolution activities
• Documents findings, observations, and investigation results using established templates and procedures
• Relies on established procedures and guidance when communicating quality concerns or recommending actions
• Escalates issues, risks, and concerns to senior team members as appropriate

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Follows established quality, safety, environmental, and manufacturing procedures
• Supports audits, inspections, and assessments to verify compliance with quality standards and documented processes
• Assists in maintaining quality records, documentation, and Quality Management System (QMS) requirements
• Complies with applicable quality and regulatory standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, UL, CE, RoHS) within assigned responsibilities
• Promotes safe work practices and adherence to company policies and procedures

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

 

Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Management, or a STEM field
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education

Preferred:

• Internship, co-op, laboratory, or project experience in manufacturing, quality, engineering, or related technical environments
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt or coursework in quality, statistics, or continuous improvement methodologies

Essential Qualifications:

• Strong foundational understanding of quality engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and problem-solving methodologies
• Basic knowledge of statistical and quality tools such as SPC, DOE, CAPA, and root cause analysis
• Ability to collect, organize, and analyze data using standard software and reporting tools
• Strong analytical, organizational, and detail-oriented skills
• Ability to follow established procedures and work effectively under supervision
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams
• Basic understanding of quality management systems and manufacturing quality requirements
• Ability to learn manufacturing processes and product quality requirements in a fast-paced production environment
• Demonstrated willingness to learn, accept feedback, and develop technical expertise
• 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)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of engineering experience through internships, co-ops, academic projects, or entry-level roles in manufacturing environments
• Experience in high-volume battery manufacturing or related industries such as electronics, automotive, energy storage, or advanced manufacturing
• Exposure to quality systems, inspections, audits, laboratory testing, or manufacturing process support
• Familiarity with quality tools such as FMEA, MSA, control plans, and process capability analysis
• Basic familiarity with manufacturing control systems and data analysis tools
• Exposure to programming languages such as SQL, Python, or similar technologies
• Experience working in fast-paced manufacturing or regulated production environments

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 40%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)

For this position, the required frequency is:

• Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Occasional

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us.

Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one.

As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs.

Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions.

We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

 

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

 

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