Equipment Specialist III

Overview Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as an Equipment Specialist? 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 Equipment Specialist III serves as the senior technical resource for assigned manufacturing operations and is responsible for coordinating daily activities, supporting equipment reliability, and driving continuous improvement efforts across the team. This role provides advanced technical expertise in equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and process optimization while serving as the primary escalation point for complex equipment-related issues. Working closely with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and operational leadership, the Equipment Specialist III prioritizes work, facilitates communication, develops team capability, and supports the successful execution of departmental objectives. The position combines advanced technical proficiency with informal leadership responsibilities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing operations. Essential Duties: Functional Operations: Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex equipment issues, equipment recovery efforts, and troubleshooting activities Coordinate daily work activities and technical priorities for Equipment Specialists within assigned areas or shifts Demonstrate expert-level knowledge of assigned manufacturing equipment, machine systems, and production processes Lead complex troubleshooting efforts involving mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, controls, and automated manufacturing systems Support equipment startup, qualification, modifications, upgrades, and validation activities Provide technical direction during equipment repairs, improvement activities, and engineering change implementations Utilize machine expertise to identify equipment-related sources of defects, alarms, downtime, and productivity losses Maintain accurate and complete documentation of equipment activities, troubleshooting efforts, and improvement projects Utilize precision measurement tools including dial indicators, calipers, micrometers, and other diagnostic instruments to support equipment performance and reliability Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Lead cross-functional PDCA activities, root cause investigations, and corrective action development Analyze production, equipment, quality, and maintenance data to identify performance gaps, trends, and improvement opportunities Develop and coordinate action plans to improve reliability, productivity, quality performance, and operational efficiency Evaluate the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions and recommend adjustments as necessary Support achievement of departmental goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and operational targets Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies Partner with engineering and operational leadership to identify and prioritize strategic improvement opportunities Monitor team progress on assigned actions and ensure timely completion of deliverables Training & Team Support: Coach, mentor, and develop Equipment Specialists by sharing technical expertise, best practices, and troubleshooting techniques Support onboarding, qualification, certification, and technical development activities for team members Identify skill gaps and recommend training and development opportunities to leadership Facilitate knowledge sharing across shifts, teams, and functional groups Promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, teamwork, and operational excellence Provide guidance and support to team members during equipment failures, process issues, and improvement activities Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication: Act as the primary liaison between Equipment Specialists, engineering, maintenance, production, quality, and operational leadership Communicate equipment priorities, risks, project status, and escalation needs to stakeholders Coordinate work activities across multiple groups to ensure efficient execution of equipment-related priorities Participate in production meetings, operational reviews, and escalation discussions as the team's technical representative Support supervisors and engineering teams in planning equipment outages, upgrades, and improvement initiatives Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders to support business objectives and operational performance Quality, Safety, & Compliance: Follow all company, departmental, environmental, quality, and safety policies and procedures Ensure equipment-related work is completed in compliance with established standards, procedures, and documentation requirements Promote adherence to lockout/tagout requirements and safe work practices Identify and address equipment-related safety risks and operational concerns Support investigations involving quality concerns, equipment failures, and process deviations Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment while promoting a culture of safety and accountability Does not have authority for hiring, termination, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, compensation decisions, or other formal supervisory duties Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides technical leadership, work coordination, coaching, mentoring, and training support to team members Does not have authority for hiring, termination, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, compensation decisions, or other formal supervisory duties Travel Requirement: None Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: High School Diploma or GED Relevant experience may substitute for required education Preferred: Associate's degree in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, or related field QET Certification or equivalent technical certification Six Sigma Green Belt or higher Advanced Root Cause Analysis training Essential Qualifications: 6+ years of manufacturing, industrial maintenance, equipment support, automation, mechatronics, or related technical experience Demonstrated advanced expertise troubleshooting mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and automated manufacturing systems Successful completion of Ramsay mechanical or electrical aptitude assessment Ability to lead complex troubleshooting efforts and resolve high-impact equipment-related issues Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and build collaborative working relationships Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, MES, Tableau, JMP, and other manufacturing support systems Advanced ability to analyze equipment and operational data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities Ability to interpret and apply mechanical and electrical drawings during troubleshooting, equipment modifications, and project implementation Strong working knowledge of PLC systems, controls software, and automated manufacturing equipment Experience supporting vision systems and related automation technologies Advanced root cause analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Working knowledge of PDCA, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple competing priorities, and coordinate activities across teams and functional groups Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop technical employees Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills Ability to perform mathematical calculations including ratios, percentages, measurements, and interpretation of technical and operational data 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: Previous experience serving as a technical lead, project lead, shift lead, or informal team leader Strong background in electrical troubleshooting, controls systems, and automation technologies Experience with Sysmac, Omron PLC software, or equivalent controls platforms Proficiency with CAD software Experience operating and maintaining technical equipment such as 3D printers, microscopes, laser scanners, or similar devices Experience with fabrication, machining, welding, and custom equipment modifications Demonstrated success leading equipment reliability, defect reduction, productivity, or process improvement initiatives Experience presenting technical findings, improvement plans, and project updates to leadership teams Proficiency with Python, advanced analytics, or other manufacturing data analysis tools 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 Demands: Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to: Sit: 10% Walk: 30% Stand: 60% Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (