Junior Chemical Engineering Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Materials 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!

Sr. Materials Engineer

Job Summary: The Sr. Materials Engineer is responsible for the development and modification of processes and methods to introduce materials to the production process of Li-ion batteries. In addition, the Sr. Materials Engineer will collaborate broadly within Panasonic to analyze materials and material components, to establish operating data, conduct experimental tests and evaluate results, with the overall goal to introduce new materials/suppliers to PECNA’s products and processes.

Essential Duties:

• Promote collaboration with suppliers in North America to accelerate multi-sourcing and localization. The collaboration includes coordinating technical meeting, creating and summarizing feedback to suppliers, preparing meeting materials, leading the meeting, explaining the feedback, creating engineering documents, requesting improvement, deciding the specification and analytical method, making a development plan, handling samples, all of which are under alignment with related technical sections.
• Serve as Panasonic Energy's overall technical point of contact or point of contact support for existing and potential material suppliers in North America.
• Establish and maintain the evaluation system(s) for specific materials systems within the battery.
• Work with process and manufacturing engineering teams for evaluation of materials on the production lines.
• Utilize knowledge of Panasonic’s manufacturing process (specifically related to material of expertise) to lead and support modification of supplied components and improvement to PECNA’s products and processes.
• Provide deep technical expertise and resource to the internal team and external vendors.
• Create and nurture relationships within the greater Panasonic platform to support economic and performance improvements to materials in PECNA’s products.
• Collaborate with greater Panasonic platform in their communication with material suppliers related to the development and validation of detailed material specifications for new materials and the resolution of quality issues.
• Independently develop analytical strategies to evaluate performance and failure origins.
• Independently create standard operating procedures to be used by external suppliers as well as internal process engineering and supplier quality teams to establish the compliance of materials and/or chemicals with PECNA’s products and processes.
• Use manufacturing data such as defect rate and alert rate to evaluate supplied materials. Draw conclusions that lead to improved manufacturability and cell performance.
• Lead internal team initiatives and mentor junior engineers to achieve team targets.
• Lead and maintain the establishment of safe working procedures and best practices surrounding analytical and laboratory techniques.
• Support all corporate EH&S, Governance and Quality initiatives.
• Other duties may be assigned.

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a requirement for some roles at PECNA 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.

• Education – Bachelor's from four-year college or university in Electrochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or similar discipline.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree and/or Ph.D in Electrochemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or similar discipline.

• 7+ years of engineering experience in areas such as manufacturing, product development, design, quality control, or other area.
• Evidence 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. We are looking for the best of the best.
• Strong analytic and decision‑making abilities. Able to influence others to move towards a common goal.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment, as well as with cross‑functional groups.
• Expert fundamental understanding of analytical methodologies key to specific role within Materials Development Team.
• Strong knowledge of commonly used materials in battery manufacturing and the analytical techniques associated with qualification and testing of those materials.
• Track record of effective problem solving and ability to gather, analyze, and report data to arrive at clear conclusions.
• Ability to use statistical analysis to derive conclusions and provide direction in investigations, new parts integration, defect reduction, and productivity improvements.
• Experience using Design of Experiments concepts to develop better assembly conditions, part applications, and measurement methods.
• Able to propose and align a material specification requirement to the supplier.
• Ability to lead large, complex projects internally, as well as with several related functional sections.
• Ability to perform statistical analysis to improve processes, both internal and external.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers.

• Strong background in high-volume manufacturing
• Knowledge of commonly used materials in battery manufacturing and the analytical techniques associated with qualification and testing of those materials.
• Materials development in a battery manufacturer through collaboration with material suppliers,
• Fundamental understanding of battery materials, their selection, and the impact on electrochemical performance of cells
• Basic knowledge of battery cell design

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

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• 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.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team‑lift only (over 35 lbs.): Not Required

• 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. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

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.