Assistant Process Engineer Jobs in Ankeny, IA (NOW HIRING)

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Process Engineer I? Then we're looking for you! 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!

The Process Engineer I is responsible for supporting process improvement projects focused on defect rate improvement, new material and model introduction, specification validation, overall equipment efficiency, and tasks to improve the cell manufacturing process. Additionally, the Engineer will develop and implement process strategies, manage process resources, and optimize current processes.

• Being a part of Panasonic’s Cell and Process Engineering team. The Cell and Process Engineering team is responsible for continuously improving processes, supporting new model conversion and new line setup, solving chronic production issues and supporting Panasonic’s battery production to ensure our world-class production is running smoothly and without issue. In addition, we continually seek to improve our process by means of productivity, quality, cost, and other key metrics
• Using troubleshooting skills and ability to support problem solving through root cause identification and effective countermeasure development and implementation
• Troubleshooting chronic production problems to maintain output levels and reduce defects
• Working with other teams to coordinate process and machine improvement activities ranging from long term process development projects to reactive countermeasures to address immediate issues
• Making data-driven decisions and improving data analysis skills relevant to mass manufacturing executed here at the Gigafactory
• Supporting engineering/maintenance/quality teams in developing permanent structures & countermeasures to common problems in daily manufacturing. Can relate to productivity, quality, loss, safety, etc.
• Assist implementing and expanding new countermeasures into production lines
• Monitoring and auditing manufacturing processes to ensure product specifications and standards are achieved
• Building technical knowledge to develop standard work instructions, SOP’s and troubleshooting guides
• Implementing and supporting manufacturing industrial automation
• Other duties may be assigned

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.

• Basic/Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline

• 0-2 years of process engineering or manufacturing engineering experience
• Demonstration of exceptional ability. Panasonic follows a culture of full-cycle engineering where members will have full responsibility and accountability for their projects from start to finish.
• Excited to perform engineering functions and responsibilities in a manufacturing environment.
• Able to train manufacturing operators on new or revised manufacturing process instructions or tooling.
• Should be flexible with the working environment and be able to perform job duties between manufacturing floor and office/desk.
• Must be able to perform machine and process troubleshooting and apply root cause analysis.
• Excited to work on projects such as scrap, cost, and FTE reduction.
• Experience with time studies, resource mapping, and bottleneck analysis.
• Must work on building engineering skills (process development/improvement, troubleshooting, data analysis, tolerancing, MPI’s).
• Capable of identifying critical process parameters. Knowledge of FTA, FMEA, etc.
• Team working skills with others in the organization.
• Self-starter who works well with some guidance. Ability to follow up with some direction and will focus on team success.
• A strong work ethic with a “get the job done” approach who consistently delivers excellent customer service, both internally and externally.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

• Experience with lithium-ion battery theory or R&D
• Familiarity with roll-to-roll processing techniques
• Experience with material management and control
• Knowledge of electrochemistry and ability to apply principles
• Knowledge and ability to apply principles of solutions chemistry to real world working environment
• Experience with control strategy, PLC, and sensor/actuator relationships is a plus
• Previous experience with Industrial data analysis or Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (1M+ units per day) such as batteries or electronic devices
• Familiarity with six sigma methodologies and tools
• 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)

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

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 50%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

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

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
• Free Shuttle: Rides to and from work!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.