Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Manufacturing Engineer I? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and 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!

Manufacturing Engineer I

Job Summary: Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is seeking ambitious engineers to lead the world's largest lithium ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory to support Tesla's electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. Panasonic invites you to join us in this ongoing full‑scale effort to electrify our society. At PECNA, engineers quickly become experts in the fundamentals of lithium‑ion cell technology and work to integrate that understanding with high speed, automated manufacturing methods to produce the highest performance and highest quality lithium ion batteries.

Essential Duties:

• Being a part of Panasonic's Battery Manufacturing Engineering team. The Manufacturing Engineering team is responsible for 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 metrics.
• Works with levels II & III to assist in the engineering support related to daily production activities. Works to optimize OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency) to increase productivity and reduce defect and loss.
• Utilizes OEE and other production data to effectively manage tasks and activities.
• Learning & demonstrating solid troubleshooting skills and ability to quickly solve unknown problems.
• Troubleshooting real time production problems to maintain production and reduce defects.
• Assists with levels II & III in working with Maintenance teams to coordinate maintenance activities ranging from reactive to preventative maintenance.
• Working with engineering/maintenance teams to develop permanent countermeasures to common problems in daily manufacturing. Can relate to productivity, quality, loss, safety, etc.
• Provides support to the implementing and expanding these new permanent countermeasures into production lines.
• Learning the monitoring and auditing manufacturing processes to ensure product specifications and standards are achieved.
• Applying technical knowledge to develop clear and 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.

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Basic/Required:
  • High School diploma or GED
  • B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline

Essential Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of relevant experience
• 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
• Experience performing engineering functions and responsibilities in a manufacturing environment
• Able to work production shift schedules
• Able to assist in training 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 learn and perform machine and process troubleshooting and apply root cause analysis
• Experience in manufacturing background with high mechanical with high mechanical aptitude preferred.
• Mechanical troubleshooting skills
• Knowledge or experience with 3D CAD, mechanical drawings, MPO, P&IDs.
• Design of fixtures, jigs, brackets, etc.
• Ability and examples of improvement of maintainability of equipment
• Must possess engineering skills (process development/improvement, troubleshooting, data analysis, tolerancing, MPI’s).
• Capability of identifying critical process parameters. Knowledge of FTA, FMEA, etc.
• Strong team working skills at all levels of an organization, especially skilled at working with direct labor to understand challenges and work on developing optimal solutions using structured methods.
• Self-starter who works well independently and an outstanding ability to follow-up with minimal direction and will focus on team success.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize work, and deliver quality results.
• A strong work ethic with a “get the job done” approach who consistently delivers excellent customer service, both internally and externally.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with control strategy, PLC, and sensor/actuator relationships is a plus
• Previous experience with Industrial data analysis or Manufacturing Execution System (MES) desired
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (1M+ units per day) such as batteries or electronic devices
• Experience working in machine shops and fabricating machine parts
• Experience coordinating and collaboration with contractors
• Familiar with six sigma methodologies and tools

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

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. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application!

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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