Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America · 1 day ago
Director of Cell and Process Engineering
De Soto, KS
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expPanasonic Energy Corporation of North America is expanding to De Soto, Kansas, where they are building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. The Director of Cell and Process Engineering will lead the engineering organization, focusing on process design, optimization, and technology deployment to enhance battery performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation.
Information Technology & Services
No H1B
Responsibilities
Lead the Cell and Process Engineering organization, overseeing multiple engineering teams, and ensuring alignment with business objectives
Develop and execute engineering strategies and roadmaps that improve process capability, scalability, and competitiveness
Drive excellence in process standardization, automation, and manufacturing system integration
Establish and monitor KPIs and operating systems to ensure data-driven management of complex manufacturing processes
Oversee capital and resource planning for major process initiatives and equipment upgrades
Partner with senior leadership to translate business goals into actionable engineering objectives and programs
Guide innovation initiatives focused on next-generation materials, chemistries, and manufacturing technologies
Champion continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) to enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency
Ensure alignment between corporate best practices, site operations, and evolving production strategies
Promote the use of data analytics and modeling tools to enable predictive and informed decision-making
Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-layered team of managers, engineers, and technical specialists
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and professional growth
Establish workforce development plans, succession strategies, and cross-training programs to strengthen technical capability
Promote knowledge sharing, consistency, and adoption of best practices across engineering teams
Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain functions to ensure readiness and smooth introduction of new products and processes
Represent the Cell and Process Engineering function in cross-functional planning, audits, and customer or partner engagements
Provide technical guidance on process scalability, manufacturability, and investment priorities
Coordinate with peer engineering groups to ensure standardization and leverage shared expertise across departments
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements (ISO, IATF, OSHA, etc.)
Apply structured risk management frameworks (FMEA, FTA, DRBFM) to identify and mitigate potential risks
Oversee process control systems and verification measures to ensure product quality and traceability
Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility across all engineering activities
Leads the Cell and Process Engineering team through both direct supervision and indirect influence
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
10+ years of progressive experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or product development within high-volume manufacturing environments
Proven experience managing multiple engineering teams or functions with accountability for planning and performance
Demonstrated success developing and executing technical strategies that improve production capability, efficiency, and quality
Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
Recognized expertise in process optimization, automation, and manufacturing system integration
Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving (DOE, SPC, MSA)
Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing budgets and capital projects
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering/data systems (e.g., MES, SCADA, SQL, Tableau, Ignition)
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
Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE - ASQ)
Lean Manufacturing Certification (e.g., Lean Leader)
Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI)
Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE - SME)
Leadership experience in large-scale battery, electronics, or precision manufacturing industries
In-depth knowledge of lithium-ion cell design, materials, and manufacturing processes
Experience implementing Industry 4.0 or digital manufacturing initiatives
Strong understanding of ISO, IATF, OSHA, and other regulatory standards
Proficiency in both English and Japanese, enabling effective communication with domestic and international stakeholders
Benefits
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
Company
Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America
Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is a large-scale, advanced battery manufacturer, operating in Sparks, Nevada and De Soto, Kansas, known for its quality of life and expansive outdoor adventures.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Justin Herman
VP & Chief Information Officer
Brooke Langhans
HPC Partner
Company data provided by crunchbase