Controls Engineering Technician I (Industrial Automation)

Location: Onsite in De Soto, Kansas, United States

Company

Panasonic Energy produces lithium-ion batteries and is expanding a large-scale battery manufacturing facility supporting electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions.

What you will do

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair electrical, electromechanical, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Resolve routine issues involving PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, motors, drives, and industrial communication networks.
• Perform testing, fault diagnosis, component replacement, wiring modifications, and equipment recovery for systems up to 480VAC.
• Use electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, procedures, and controls software to configure and restore equipment.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, and Operations teams while documenting repairs and shift handoffs.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in mechatronics, automation, electrical engineering technology, electronics, industrial maintenance, or a related technical field; relevant experience may substitute.
• Foundational experience or technical training in industrial automation, controls, maintenance, manufacturing operations, or a related technical environment.
• Knowledge of electrical systems, motor controls, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, servos, drives, automation equipment, and basic PLC programming concepts.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot systems up to 480VAC.
• Working-level English is required for reading, writing, and speaking.
• Must have valid authorization to work in the United States without restriction.

Nice to have

• 2+ years of experience supporting automated manufacturing or industrial control systems.
• Experience with Mitsubishi, Omron, Keyence, Siemens, Rockwell, or similar PLC platforms.
• Experience with servo motors, robotics, machine vision, EtherCAT, DeviceNet, CC-Link, or Mechatrolink.
• Experience in battery, electronics, automotive, semiconductor, or energy storage manufacturing.

Culture & Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, prescription, HSA, and FSA options.
• 401(k) plan with company matching and immediate vesting.
• Vacation, holidays, sick leave, parental and caregiver leave, and volunteer time.
• Tuition reimbursement after six months of service and wellbeing programs.
• Annual performance-based bonus and onsite cafés, snacks, and employee events.
• Pre-employment drug testing and required safety, compliance, and PPE procedures.