Skilled Machine Technician (level 1)

Job Description

Kick Off 2026 With a Career That Matters! Why settle for ordinary when you can help change the world? Panasonic Energy is launching a groundbreaking factory in De Soto, Kansas, and we're looking for dedicated team members to join us on-site.

This is your chance to start the year strong with a role that offers growth, impact, and the excitement of shaping the future of sustainable energy.

Ready to make 2026 unforgettable? Join us today!

Interested in meeting us in person? We now offer walk-in interview hours Monday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm CST at our recruiting office located at 10900 South Clay Blair Boulevard in Olathe, KS 66061.

Bring your resume, learn more about this exciting opportunity, and get ready to make a difference with us.

If you are passionate about contributing to a sustainable future and being part of a dynamic team shaping the electric vehicle revolution, this opportunity is tailor-made for you.

We are seeking dedicated individuals to join us as full-time, on-site team members at our new, state-of-the-art factory located in the thriving city of DeSoto, Kansas.

Position Summary : The Skilled Machine Technician - Level 1 (SMT 1) is responsible for operating automated high-speed lithium-ion battery production machines within clean-room environments.

Responsibilities include machine maintenance, ensuring the cleanliness of work areas, and facilitating the safe and efficient production of high-quality batteries.

Additionally, SMT-1 performs basic equipment cleaning and maintenance procedures.

Essential Duties :

• Initiate, operate, recover, and shut down machines
• Diagnose and troubleshoot machine errors following specified escalation procedures.
• Utilize hand tools and precision measuring instruments to perform basic maintenance and uphold quality control standards.
• Perform duties and responsibilities in strict adherence to safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean and secure work area following the 6S principles (Sort, Shine, Set in Order, Standardize, Sustain, Safety).
• Understanding of department workflows and processes
• Ensure the prompt fulfillment of requests and the timely delivery of materials, supplies, and spare parts to the production floor.
• Provide assistance to Maintenance Technicians in executing basic preventative maintenance procedures.
• Monitor processes and conduct continuous image inspections and visual quality checks to ensure compliance with acceptance standards.
• Ability to execute work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Complete end of day reporting and documentation as required.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and maintenance, to identify and resolve quality issues in a timely manner.
• Report quality issues, concerns, or deviations from standards to Supervisors and Engineers in a timely manner.
• Maintain detailed inspection, quality issues and deviation records as required.
• Ensure adherence to quality, general plant and PECNA policies and procedures.
• Ensure area cleanliness and 6S standards are met.
• Ability to train others at same or lower level within functional area.
• Ability to work all scheduled shifts.
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role.
• No authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, reward, or discipline other employees.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements :

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees', wearing PPE is mandatory including equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

Respirator fit test will be required based on functional area.

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

• Required : High school diploma, GED or 2 years of prior experience in functional area

Essential Qualifications

• Proficient in the English language, encompassing adeptness in reading, writing, and verbal communication.
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role
• Prior exposure to a manufacturing / production environment.

Preferred Qualifications :

• 1-2 years of prior experience in functional area
• Demonstrated Standard Work and Job Instruction training completion, including familiarity with Kaizen and active participation in Standard Work Improvement activities.
• Proficiency with hand tools, technical instructions, and quality control.

Preferred License(s) : None

Preferred Certification(s) : None

Physical Demands

Physical Activities : During the standard workday, the employee must be capable of performing the specified activities for 100% of the workday, including :

• Sit : 5%
• Walk : 10%
• Stand : 75%
• Lift : 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying : Not required (0%), Occasional (1%-33%), Frequent (34%-66%), Continuous (67%-100%)

Employee must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move :

• Up to 10 lbs. : Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs. : Frequent
• Up to 35 lbs. : Occasional
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs) Occasional

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
• Employee events
• Collaborative and motivating culture routed in continuous personal and professional growth and much more.

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic 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.

Life at Panasonic | Create Today, Enrich Tomorrow

Discover career opportunities and learn more about our inclusive culture at Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

Join us and shape the future together.

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