Skilled Machine Operator

WHO YOU ARE AT PANASONIC ENERGY:

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 area, 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.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The Skilled Machine Operator (SMO) is responsible for independently operating multiple automated high-speed lithium-ion battery production machines within an assigned production area, including preceding and subsequent processes as needed. Responsibilities include operating equipment with minimal supervision, monitoring machine and process performance, supporting safe and efficient production, maintaining accurate production and quality records, and ensuring the cleanliness and organization of assigned work areas. The SMO serves as a skilled operator who supports production continuity, quality standards, team development, and continuous improvement while complying with all safety, quality, environmental, and company policies.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Operate, recover, change over, and shut down production equipment in accordance with SOPs and work instructions while supporting safe, steady production flow.
• Own safety and quality by following PPE, LOTO, and Critical Safety Rules, stopping the line when concerns arise, and escalating issues promptly.
• Monitor machine performance, production status, and process conditions to identify abnormalities, take appropriate first action, and protect output quality.
• Support production continuity through material staging, timely requests for supplies or spare parts, and daily cleaning of machines and equipment.
• Model Panasonic’s high-performance culture by bringing energy, respect, accountability, and a team-first mindset to each shift.
• Perform manual NG removal and routine operator-level adjustments in accordance with SOPs, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Maintain accurate production, quality, and equipment-related records in accordance with applicable ISO standards and internal documentation requirements to support traceability, communication, and effective shift handoff.

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Perform minor troubleshooting and basic equipment adjustments within defined operator-level scope, escalating equipment or process issues when additional technical support is required.
• Identify opportunities to improve machine performance, process consistency, and product quality.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operational processes, documentation, and standard work instructions to drive efficiency and productivity.

• Serve as a skilled operational bridge between Machine Operators and Technicians by supporting first-level response, issue identification, and timely escalation.

Training & Team Support:

• Support on-the-job training, team development, and workflow alignment by sharing process knowledge, assisting peers with machine operation, safety practices, and quality control methods, and communicating effectively with shift leaders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and supervisors to identify and resolve quality, equipment, and process-related issues while communicating machine concerns, irregularities, and improvement suggestions promptly.

Safety, Quality, & Compliance:

• Support safety, quality, and compliance standards by performing inspections, maintaining accurate records, reporting deviations, following PPE and LOTO requirements, sustaining 6S housekeeping practices, and meeting all operational expectations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Travel Requirement:

• None

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Required:

Preferred: High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED)

MUST-HAVES:

• 2+ years of prior experience in a manufacturing, automation, assembly, or maintenance environment, or a minimum of 6 months as a Machine Operator 2.
• Proficient in the English language, including reading, writing, and verbal communication.
• Ability to analyze and estimate workload while performing multiple tasks
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role

NICE-TO-HAVES:

• 3+ years of prior experience in a manufacturing, automation, assembly, or maintenance environment.
• Successful completion of Standard Work and Job Instruction training for internal candidates.
• An understanding of Kaizen and active participation in Standard Work Improvement activities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is required and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: During the standard workday, the employee must be capable of performing the specified activities for 100% of the workday, including:

• Sit: 15%
• Walk: 10%
• Stand: 75%

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

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, 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. In addition, employees are expected to participate in cross-training and may be assigned responsibilities in other areas as business needs evolve.

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.

This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operations to De Soto, Kansas and build the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. We will provide 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!

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 on your professional journey.

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

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

• Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance.
• Employee assistance programs that support total well-being, with complimentary sessions offered each month.
• Company-matched and fully vested 401(k) retirement program that starts immediately from the date of enrollment.
• Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, and quarterly and annual employee recognition.
• Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short- and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning.
• Educational Assistance and Reimbursement Program.
• Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging.
• Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs and opportunities at all levels across the organization.
• Collaborative and motivating culture rooted in continuous personal and professional growth, and more.

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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.