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Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Quality Control Technician Lead - Level 5? 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

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 Quality Control Technician Lead – Level 5 serves as a technical lead within a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role independently oversees quality assurance audits, leads containment and corrective action efforts, and drives data-driven process improvements. Utilizing advanced data analysis, scripting, and visualization tools, the technician identifies systemic quality issues and partners closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure compliance with industry and customer standards. Additionally, this role provides technical mentorship and training to junior technicians while facilitating effective communication of quality findings to leadership.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

+ Operate and maintain tools and equipment within functional area

+ Perform product inspections and testing using appropriate measurement tools and methods

+ Independently execute product and process audits and document findings

+ Uphold 6S initiatives and ensure area cleanliness is maintained to safety and operational standards

+ Ability to work all scheduled shift hours

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

+ Interpret and analyze quality data tied to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

+ Develop and maintain process alarms using Python scripts and Foundry to proactively identify quality deviations

+ Utilize data visualization tools to track nonconformities and drive process improvements

+ Recommend and support corrective or preventive actions based on data analysis findings

Training & Team Support:

+ Provide process guidance and technical support to QA Inspectors and Technicians

+ Conduct hands-on training to others at same or lower level within functional area to improve inspection proficiency and adherence to standards

+ No authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, reward, or discipline other employees

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

+ Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to resolve quality issues in a timely manner

+ Lead containment and corrective actions for nonconforming materials and processes

+ Communicate effectively across departments and escalate issues as needed

+ Present quality findings, trends, and improvement recommendations to cross-functional teams to support decision-making

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

+ Support proper implementation of processes and procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications

+ Maintain accurate records of inspections, deviations, and corrective actions

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

**Required** :

+ High school diploma, GED, or 2 years of prior experience in functional area

**Preferred** :

+ Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Quality, Industrial Technology)

+ Certified Quality Technician (CQT)

+ Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)

Essential Qualifications:

+ 4+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or manufacturing inspection

+ Strong working knowledge of quality systems, inspection methods, and root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC)

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data visualization tools (e.g., Foundry AI, Tableau, Power BI)

+ Basic scripting knowledge, especially in Python, for data analysis and automation

+ Strong verbal and written communication skills

+ Ability to lead and train cross-functional teams

+ Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage priorities, and make data-driven decisions

+ Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

Preferred Qualifications:

+ 8+ years of related experience, including 3–5 years in QA roles with a strong focus on corrective and containment actions

+ Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement experience

+ Background in battery, automotive, or electronics manufacturing

+ Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and related quality systems

+ Proficient in SPC, FMEA, control plans, and PPAP

+ Advanced Python skills for automation and alarm development

+ Experience with MES and ERP systems

+ 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)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

+ To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is a possibility and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

Physical Demands:

**Physical Activities:** Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

+ Sit: 20%

+ Walk: 70%

+ Stand: 10%

**Required Lifting and Carrying:** _Not required (0%), 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

_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._

Who We Are:

Meet Panasonic Energy (https://careers.na.panasonic.com/life-at-panasonic) ! 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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-x\_hDfMqb0) .

This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operations to De Soto, Kansas and build the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. We will provide 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!

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.

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:

+ Highly inclusive and class-leading healthcare options to include family planning, mental health, and pet insurance

+ Employee assistance programs that support total well-being with complimentary session offered each and every month

+ Company-matched and fully vested 401K retirement program that starts immediately from date of enrollment

+ Annual bonus program, High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition

+ Simplified access to self-guided and representative-supported short and long-term financial wellness and retirement planning

+ Educational Assistance & Reimbursement Program

+ Inclusion programs and associated employee resource groups that promote representation and belonging

+ Leadership, career, and mentorship development programs opportunities at all levels across the organization

+ Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.

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.

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