Machine Operator 2

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

Job Summary: The Machine Operator 2 (MO2) is responsible for operating automated high-speed lithium-ion battery production machines within clean-room environments. Responsibilities include operating machines, ensuring the cleanliness of work areas, and facilitating the safe and efficient production of high-quality batteries. Additionally, the MO2 performs basic equipment cleaning.

Essential Duties

Functional Operations:

• Initiate, operate, recover, and shut down core production machinery in accordance with defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions
• Operate machines and equipment within the functional area to ensure smooth and continuous production flow
• Monitor machine parameters, production status, and operational performance to maintain efficiency and output quality
• Support timely fulfillment of requests for materials, supplies, and spare parts to sustain production continuity
• Perform daily cleaning of machines and equipment

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and respond to machine issues, following established escalation procedures, including troubleshooting, basic fixes without tools, and escalation as needed
• Identify opportunities to improve machine performance, process consistency, and product quality
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operational processes, documentation, and standard work instructions to drive efficiency and productivity

Training & Team Support:

• Support on-the-job training, team development, and workflow alignment by sharing process knowledge; assisting peers with machine operation, safety practices, and quality control methods; and communicating effectively with shift leaders

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supervisors to identify and resolve quality, equipment, and process-related issues while communicating machine concerns, irregularities, and improvement suggestions promptly

Safety, Quality, & Compliance:

• Support safety, quality, and compliance standards by performing inspections, maintaining accurate records, reporting deviations, following PPE and LOTO requirements, sustaining 6S housekeeping practices, and meeting all operational expectations

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Travel Requirement: None

Qualifications

Required Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

• Preferred: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)

Must-haves:

• 1+ year of prior experience in a manufacturing, automation, assembly, or maintenance environment, or a minimum of 6 months as a Machine Operator 1
• Proficient in the English language, encompassing adeptness in reading, writing, and verbal communication
• Ability to analyze and estimate workload while performing multiple tasks
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to meet the physical demands and the PPE requirements of the role

Nice-to-haves:

• 2+ years of prior experience in manufacturing, automation, assembly, or maintenance environment
• Successful completion of Standard Work and Job Instruction training for internal candidates
• An understanding of Kaizen and active participation in Standard Work Improvement activities

Physical Demands & PPE Requirements

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements: To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is required 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 Activities: During the standard workday, the employee must be capable of performing the specified activities for 100% of the workday, including:

• Sit: 15%
• Walk: 10%
• Stand: 75%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (

• 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, 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. In addition, employees are expected to participate in cross-training and may be assigned responsibilities in other areas as business needs evolve.

Benefits

Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefit 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 sessions offered each and every month
• 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 program opportunities at all levels across the organization
• Collaborative and motivating culture rooted in continuous personal and professional growth and much more