Overview

Panasonic Energy is seeking ambitious interns to join the world’s largest lithium-ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic Energy invites you to join us in this ongoing full-scale effort to electrify our society.
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 Manufacturing Engineering Intern will gain practical experience supporting process improvement, equipment optimization, and data-driven problem solving in Panasonic Energy’s high-volume lithium-ion battery production environment. Under the mentorship of experienced engineers, the intern will participate in design and testing activities, analyze equipment and process data, and assist with troubleshooting efforts to improve safety, quality, and productivity. This role offers hands-on exposure to advanced manufacturing processes, reliability improvement initiatives, and regulatory compliance in a world-class production setting.

Internship Details:

• 12-week Program: Monday, May 18th - Friday, August 7th (dates are subject to change)
• The program will be a full-time paid summer internship working for Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America onsite in DeSoto, KS
• Must be able to attend the entirety of the internship  
• Local candidates preferred

Essential Duties:

Process Improvement & Optimization:

• Assist engineers with process improvement activities to enhance safety, quality, and productivity of cell manufacturing lines
• Support documentation and updates of operating procedures to reflect process changes

Design, Testing & Data Analysis:

• Participate in design and testing efforts on existing production lines to support improvements in manufacturing processes
• Collect and analyze equipment and test data under supervision to identify trends or issues impacting performance

Equipment & Production Support:

• Help evaluate equipment functions and operating procedures to reduce time, cost, or variability in manufacturing
• Provide engineering support to production teams by assisting with troubleshooting and documenting process issues

Failure Mode & Reliability Support:

• Work with engineers to investigate failure modes and contribute to projects that improve equipment reliability and process performance
• Apply basic engineering principles and problem-solving methods to support resolution of manufacturing challenges

Safety & Regulatory Awareness:

• Follow all safety regulations, use required PPE and maintain safe practices while working in production environments
• Participate in safety initiatives and support process trials with a focus on regulatory compliance and risk reduction

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is a possibility 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.

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:  Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Required: Completion of at least 2 years of full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) at an accredited four-year college or university and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field

Essential Qualifications:

• GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university
• Strong foundational knowledge of core engineering principles
• Evidence of exceptional ability - Panasonic follows a culture of full-cycle engineering where members will have full responsibility and accountability for projects from start to finish
• Demonstrated experience solving difficult hands-on engineering problems with an ability to clearly articulate technical detail and thought process
• Familiarity with basic lithium-ion battery chemistry
• Good understanding of basic manufacturing principles
• Demonstrated curiosity, problem-solving ability, and eagerness to learn
• Mechanical aptitude and interest in troubleshooting and process improvement
• Ability to write and communicate technical information clearly and concisely
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• 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:

• Hands-on engineering experience through labs, project teams, or prior internships
• A desire to create a sustainable future through energy storage, renewable energy, and electric vehicles
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or Six Sigma concepts through coursework or projects
• Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) or hands-on fabrication experience
• Interest in automation, sensors, PLCs, or industrial data analysis
• Exposure to high-volume manufacturing environments (e.g., battery, electronics, semiconductor)

Physical Demands:

Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 40%
• Walk: 30%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Required Lifting and Carrying: Not required (0%), 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.): Not Required

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.

This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operations to De Soto, Kansas and build the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. We will provide 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!

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.

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 characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time the internship begins and must not require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, O-1, TN, L-1, or other employment-based visas) to participate in the program or for a fulltime role after graduation. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

Qualifications

Qualifications:  Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Required: Completion of at least 2 years of full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) at an accredited four-year college or university and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field

Essential Qualifications:

• GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university
• Strong foundational knowledge of core engineering principles
• Evidence of exceptional ability - Panasonic follows a culture of full-cycle engineering where members will have full responsibility and accountability for projects from start to finish
• Demonstrated experience solving difficult hands-on engineering problems with an ability to clearly articulate technical detail and thought process
• Familiarity with basic lithium-ion battery chemistry
• Good understanding of basic manufacturing principles
• Demonstrated curiosity, problem-solving ability, and eagerness to learn
• Mechanical aptitude and interest in troubleshooting and process improvement
• Ability to write and communicate technical information clearly and concisely
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• 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)
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time the internship begins and must not require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, O-1, TN, L-1, or other employment-based visas) to participate in the program or for a fulltime role after graduation. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on engineering experience through labs, project teams, or prior internships
• A desire to create a sustainable future through energy storage, renewable energy, and electric vehicles
• Exposure to lean manufacturing or Six Sigma concepts through coursework or projects
• Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) or hands-on fabrication experience
• Interest in automation, sensors, PLCs, or industrial data analysis
• Exposure to high-volume manufacturing environments (e.g., battery, electronics, semiconductor)

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