Transportation Engineer I Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Overview
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Systems 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
Systems Engineer 1
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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 Systems Engineer I supports the design, implementation, and maintenance of systems and infrastructure that enable manufacturing and operational processes within a battery production environment. This role works under close supervision to assist with system configuration, integration, monitoring, and troubleshooting across hardware, software, and network components. The Systems Engineer I contributes to reliable and scalable system performance by supporting foundational engineering tasks, documentation, and testing activities. This position impacts their own work and immediate team while building technical skills in systems architecture, infrastructure technologies, and industrial environments. The Systems Engineer I collaborates primarily within their team and follows established procedures to support operational and project goals.
Essential Duties:
Functional Operations:

• Apply basic systems engineering principles to support infrastructure and system integration tasks
• Assist in configuring, implementing, and maintaining hardware, software, and network components
• Support integration of systems across manufacturing environments, including basic connectivity and communication between components
• Perform routine system monitoring and assist with performance checks and issue identification
• Help troubleshoot basic hardware, software, and network issues under guidance
• Assist with system updates, patching, and backup processes
• Support creation and maintenance of system documentation, configurations, and standard work instructions
• Assist with validation testing and documentation of system changes

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Work on clearly defined system-related tasks under supervision
• Apply existing tools, standards, and processes to support system reliability and performance
• Assist in system testing, validation, and basic performance analysis
• Help identify minor improvement opportunities and support implementation under guidance
• Maintain accurate documentation to support operational consistency and knowledge sharing

Training & Team Support:

• Learn systems engineering tools, technologies, and processes from mentors and senior engineers
• Participate in team training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and skill development activities

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Communicate within immediate team and escalate issues when appropriate
• Follow established procedures to support coordination with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, IT, engineering)
• Assist in gathering basic system requirements and documenting user needs

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Follow established processes and procedures to ensure systems meet quality and performance standards
• Assist in implementing basic security practices to support system integrity and data protection
• Adhere to safety protocols and PPE requirements when working in manufacturing or production environments
• Participate in testing and validation efforts to ensure system reliability and safe operation

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 Computer Science, Information Systems, Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education

Preferred:

• Exposure to systems engineering, IT infrastructure, or network technologies through coursework, internships, or academic projects
• Progress toward industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+)

Essential Qualifications:

• Strong foundational understanding of core engineering and systems principles
• Basic familiarity with operating systems (Windows, Linux, or UNIX)
• Exposure to computer hardware, networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP), and system infrastructure concepts
• Basic knowledge of virtualization or cloud platforms (e.g., VMware, AWS, Azure, or similar)
• Familiarity with scripting or automation concepts (e.g., Python, Bash, or PowerShell)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to follow technical instructions, standards, and established procedures
• Effective communication skills and ability to work within a team environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for documentation
• 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 experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level roles in systems engineering, IT infrastructure, or related fields
• Experience in high-volume battery manufacturing or a related industrial environment (e.g., automotive, electronics, energy storage)
• Exposure to cloud platforms, virtualization tools, or infrastructure monitoring systems
• Familiarity with basic DevOps practices or tools (e.g., CI/CD, containerization)
• Exposure to database systems (SQL, NoSQL) or logging/monitoring platforms
• Experience working in fast-paced or production-critical environments

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

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 60%
• 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.: Occasional
• Up to 35 lbs.: Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare

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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