Entry Level Engineering Jobs in Ottawa, KS (NOW HIRING)

Overview
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Manufacturing Engineer? 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
Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Engineer I is an entry-level engineering role designed to develop foundational manufacturing engineering skills through hands-on experience and mentorship in a high-volume manufacturing environment. The position impacts the engineer's own work and immediate team by supporting production optimization, process reliability, and quality improvement activities. This role emphasizes learning standard manufacturing processes, tools, and problem-solving methodologies through involvement in data collection, troubleshooting support, and continuous improvement initiatives, while contributing to safe, stable, and efficient manufacturing operations.
Essential Duties:
Functional Operations:

• Applies basic manufacturing engineering principles, tools, and standard procedures under supervision
• Supports assigned tasks within engineering and operations projects
• Assists with data collection, basic process analysis, and documentation (e.g., time studies, process checks)
• Supports development and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions
• Assists with technical equipment troubleshooting under guidance from senior engineers and maintenance teams
• Learns and supports preventative maintenance activities to improve equipment uptime and process stability

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Works on clearly defined process improvement tasks under close supervision
• Applies existing manufacturing processes, standards, and tools to support efficiency and waste reduction efforts
• Contributes to continuous improvement initiatives and small-scale equipment or process upgrades
• Supports development of permanent countermeasures to address manufacturing issues using established problem-solving methods
• Gains exposure to automation systems and manufacturing technologies through project support activities

Training & Team Support:

• Learns manufacturing engineering practices through mentorship, job shadowing, and guided project participation
• Develops familiarity with engineering workflows, documentation standards, and structured problem-solving approaches
• Actively seeks feedback to build technical competence and professional effectiveness

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Communicates primarily within the immediate engineering team and assigned project groups
• Collaborates with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering team members following established procedures
• Develops professional communication and documentation skills to support knowledge sharing and project execution

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Supports implementation and adherence to quality systems to ensure product conformance to specifications
• Participates in root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities as a contributor
• Learns and complies with all safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Actively participates in safety initiatives and supports safety planning for new equipment or process changes
• Properly uses and maintains required personal protective equipment (PPE), including Tyvek suits, gloves, respirators, and other safety gear as required by the functional area

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 Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related STEM field

Preferred:

• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (Green Belt a plus)
• Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT)
• SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar CAD certification
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification

Essential Qualifications:

• Strong foundational understanding of core engineering principles
• Demonstrated eagerness to learn and develop practical manufacturing engineering skills
• Mechanical aptitude with interest in troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Ability to apply basic data-driven approaches to support process development and improvement
• Willingness to learn technical documentation such as CAD drawings, P&IDs, and manufacturing process instructions
• Ability to work effectively in both office and production floor environments with attention to detail
• Collaborative mindset with developing communication skills
• 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, or entry-level roles in manufacturing environments
• Experience in high-volume battery manufacturing or related industries such as electronics, automotive, or energy storage
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or Six Sigma concepts through coursework or practical experience
• Familiarity with basic design tools (e.g., CAD) or hands-on fabrication projects
• Interest in automation, PLCs, sensors, and manufacturing control systems
• Exposure to manufacturing data systems (e.g., MES) or industrial data analysis tools
• Hands-on experience or coursework involving machine shop equipment or fabrication tools
• Interest in fast-paced, high-volume production environments (e.g., 1M+ units/day)

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

• Sit: 10%
• Walk: 70%
• Stand: 20%

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

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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