Overview
Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Mechanical Engineering Manager? 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
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Meet the Recruiter: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-laffey/) 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 Mechanical Engineering Manager serves as a senior technical and people leader within the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) organization, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for the full lifecycle of mechanical engineering systems supporting lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities. This role is accountable for mechanical design strategy, technical quality, team development, and execution performance across multiple large-scale industrial projects. The Mechanical Engineering Manager leads and develops a high-performing team of engineers, ensures compliance with applicable engineering codes and standards, drives innovation and continuous improvement in system design, and collaborates cross-functionally to deliver projects that meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives. This role combines deep technical expertise with strong organizational leadership in a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environment.
Essential Duties:
Functional Leadership & Operations:
Provide technical and managerial leadership for the mechanical engineering team across all project phases (concept through construction, commissioning, and final acceptance)
Oversee and approve mechanical system designs including building HVAC, process piping, plumbing, wet mechanical, and specialty systems
Serve as the technical authority for mechanical systems, ensuring compliance with process requirements, regulatory codes, and company standards
Lead review and approval of calculations, specifications (CSI MasterFormat©), datasheets, PFDs, P&IDs, 3D models, and piping layouts
Oversee supplier technical evaluations, equipment selection, and contractor performance for mechanical scopes
Ensure engineering support for procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning, and startup activities
Resolve complex technical challenges and provide guidance on constructability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance
Monitor mechanical engineering scope execution to ensure alignment with project budgets, schedules, and performance targets
Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement:
Establish and maintain mechanical engineering standards, design guidelines, and QA/QC procedures across projects
Drive innovation and optimization in both dry and wet mechanical system design to improve energy efficiency, reliability, maintainability, and redundancies
Implement lessons learned and best practices across programs to enhance design quality and execution efficiency
Support long-term capacity planning and organizational scaling strategies for mechanical engineering resources
Contribute to proposal development, staffing strategies, and technical sections of major capital project plans
Team Development & Knowledge Sharing:
Lead workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and career development for mechanical engineering staff
Mentor senior and junior engineers to strengthen technical depth and leadership capability within the organization
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional development
Promote knowledge sharing of industry standards, evolving technologies, and best practices in industrial mechanical systems
Support succession planning and capability growth within the EPC engineering organization
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
Ensure multidisciplinary coordination with electrical, manufacturing process, civil, structural, and controls engineering teams.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for internal stakeholders and external partners on mechanical engineering matters
Collaborate with project management and project controls to manage scope, risk, change orders, and forecasting
Engage with clients, contractors, suppliers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to ensure technical alignment and compliance
Support business development initiatives through technical presentations, industry engagement, and proposal contributions
Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:
Ensure all mechanical designs comply with applicable codes and standards (e.g., ASME, ANSI, API, PIP, NACE) and internal engineering requirements
Enforce adherence to safety protocols and site-specific construction safety standards
Oversee technical risk identification and mitigation strategies related to all mechanical systems
Promote a culture of quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and ethical engineering practices
Uphold environmental, sustainability, and safety standards in all aspects of design and execution
Proficiency in engineering software and tools (e.g. AutoCAD Construction Cloud, AutoCAD, Revit, AFT Fathom, Bluebeam, SmartPlant, BIM clash coordination, Procore, 3D modeling)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct supervision of mechanical engineering staff, including hiring, performance evaluation, compensation input, and disciplinary actions
Oversight of contract engineers and external engineering partners as required
Travel Requirement:
Occasional local travel between company facilities, as required to support operational needs
Periodic travel to project sites, supplier facilities, or industry events as necessary
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 or a closely related discipline from an ABET-accredited institution
Professional Engineer (PE) license (State of Kansas preferred or ability to obtain reciprocity)
Preferred:
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related field
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification
Essential Qualifications:
5+ years of progressive mechanical engineering leadership experience, including leadership of multidisciplinary industrial or EPC projects
Extensive knowledge of mechanical system design for large-scale industrial or manufacturing facilities
Strong working knowledge of applicable industry codes and standards (ASME, ANSI, API, PIP, NACE)
Demonstrated ability to manage engineering scope, budgets, schedules, and technical risk across multiple concurrent projects
Proficiency with engineering design and analysis tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SmartPlant, AFT Fathom, 3D modeling platforms, Bluebeam)
Strong leadership, mentoring, and organizational management skills
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making capabilities
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:
7+ years of industrial mechanical engineering leadership experience within building industry, including battery manufacturing plant, semiconductor factory building, or advanced manufacturing facilities/infrastructures
Experience scaling engineering teams in high-growth, capital-intensive industries
Specialized training or certifications in battery systems, energy storage technologies, or sustainable manufacturing
Demonstrated experience leading large capital programs or multi-project portfolios
Physical Demands:
Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:
Sit: 10%
Walk: 50%
Stand: 40%
Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (
For this position, the required frequency is:
Up to 10 lbs.: Continuous
Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional
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:
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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