Overview:
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Sr. Facilities Mechanical 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:
Sr. Facilities Mechanical Engineer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMgKm_71qs
(by clicking this link you are being referred to an external site that is not part of Panasonic)
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 Senior Facilities Mechanical Engineer supports the operation, maintenance, performance, design, and optimization of mechanical facility systems, including central utility plants, HVAC, plumbing, and associated controls. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and is recognized for independent judgment and technical expertise in solving complex system challenges. The position influences engineering direction and impacts major facility programs by driving reliability improvements, supporting expansion projects, and ensuring systems operate safely and efficiently. The role partners closely with Operations & Maintenance, Production, and Engineering teams to troubleshoot issues, implement best practices, and deliver innovative solutions that support occupant safety, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), production reliability, and energy efficiency.
Essential Duties:
Functional Operations:
-
Support the operation, performance, design, and installation of mechanical facility systems, including HVAC (air and hydronic), exhaust, plumbing, and process/chemical distribution systems and associated controls
-
Lead complex troubleshooting and resolution of mechanical system issues using advanced engineering expertise
-
Drive innovation in mechanical system applications and improvements across facility infrastructure
-
Manage or lead large, complex projects or programs and contribute to project strategy for facility expansions and upgrades related to mechanical equipment, including chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, heat exchangers, compressors, air handling systems, cleanroom and dry room systems, dust collectors, CRAC units, and associated PLC/SCADA systems
-
Conduct routine assessments of system performance through field rounds, testing, and data analysis to ensure reliability and functionality
Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
-
Leverage the expertise of Facilities personnel to identify and resolve highly complex system performance issues
-
Provide strategic technical direction to improve system reliability, efficiency, and performance
-
Champion innovation by driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on energy efficiency and IEQ
-
Utilize automated fault detection and diagnostic tools to identify performance issues and prevent early equipment failure
-
Collaborate with O&M and Production teams to troubleshoot root causes of utility and system performance issues
-
Analyze system data and operational trends to recommend and implement optimization strategies
Training & Team Support:
-
Train and mentor junior facilities staff on mechanical systems, troubleshooting techniques, and safety practices
-
Provide technical leadership across teams by sharing expertise and best practices
-
Develop, update, and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training documentation, and system records
-
Support team development by contributing to technical training, knowledge sharing, and process improvement
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:
-
Lead cross-functional collaboration with O&M, Production, Engineering, and external stakeholders to ensure reliable facility operations
-
Present technical recommendations, system performance insights, and improvement strategies to senior leadership
-
Coordinate maintenance activities, shutdowns, and emergency response efforts to minimize disruption to operations
-
Build relationships with internal teams, external vendors, and other sites to drive alignment and share best practices
-
Support facility design and expansion projects by reviewing system designs, sequences of operations, and controls integration
-
Communicate with vendors and service providers to ensure quality execution and performance
-
Conduct audits of supplier work to ensure compliance with standards and expectations
Quality, Safety, & Compliance:
-
Ensure compliance with company safety policies, environmental regulations, and operational standards
-
Promote a safe work environment by enforcing safety procedures and best practices
-
Maintain accurate documentation, calibration records, and maintenance logs to support audits and inspections
-
Uphold 6S standards by maintaining clean, organized, and hazard-free work areas
-
Respond rapidly and effectively to emergency situations, including equipment failures, fire events, or evacuations
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 Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related engineering field (e.g., Aerospace, Chemical, Industrial Engineering)
Preferred:
- Relevant and extensive on-site work experience with central plants and related mechanical equipment, mechatronics/automation engineering, and/or developing and executing reliability programs for same
-
Applicable professional certifications or licenses such as Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Professional Engineer (PE), or other relevant credentials
Essential Qualifications:
-
7+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Design, MEP Construction Coordination, Facilities Engineering, and/or Project Management, including leadership or mentoring responsibilities
-
Experience with Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) interfaces
-
Demonstrated ability to evaluate, operate, and optimize complex, integrated facility systems across mechanical, controls, and production environments
-
Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, influence decisions, and drive results across cross-functional teams without direct authority
-
Strong technical leadership and engineering judgment, with the ability to solve complex or ambiguous problems and implement effective solutions
-
Experience reviewing and interpreting complex design and construction documents using tools such as AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and/or Visio to support project execution and system improvements
-
Strong communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
-
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong initiative, accountability, and follow-through
-
Experience using data analysis, trending, or fault detection tools to identify issues and drive system performance improvements
-
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:
-
10+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Design, MEP Construction Coordination, Facilities Engineering, and/or Project Management within industrial or advanced manufacturing environments
-
Experience supporting the mechanical design and/or construction of large-scale facilities, preferably in advanced manufacturing or high-volume production environments (e.g., battery, electronics, automotive, energy storage)
-
Experience working with specialized environments such as cleanroom and/or dry room systems
-
Experience leading or supporting energy efficiency, sustainability, or system optimization initiatives
-
Experience managing projects within scope, schedule, and budget, and developing or maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
-
Basic understanding of control loop (PID) tuning
Physical Demands:
Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:
-
Sit: 60%
-
Walk: 20%
-
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.: Occasional
-
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.
#LI-EL1
