Mechanical Engineering Manager

				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: 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(c)), 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 lea
			

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Panasonic Corporation of North America