Quality Control Technician Lead - Level 5

Overview

Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Quality Control Technician Lead - Level 5? 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 Quality Control Technician Lead - Level 5 serves as a technical lead within a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment. This role independently oversees quality assurance audits, leads containment and corrective action efforts, and drives data-driven process improvements. Utilizing advanced data analysis, scripting, and visualization tools, the technician identifies systemic quality issues and partners closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure compliance with industry and customer standards.

Additionally, this role provides technical mentorship and training to junior technicians while facilitating effective communication of quality findings to leadership.

Essential Duties:

Functional Operations:

• Operate and maintain tools and equipment within functional area
• Perform product inspections and testing using appropriate measurement tools and methods
• Independently execute product and process audits and document findings
• Uphold 6S initiatives and ensure area cleanliness is maintained to safety and operational standards
• Ability to work all scheduled shift hours

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Interpret and analyze quality data tied to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Develop and maintain process alarms using Python scripts and Foundry to proactively identify quality deviations
• Utilize data visualization tools to track nonconformities and drive process improvements
• Recommend and support corrective or preventive actions based on data analysis findings

Training & Team Support:

• Provide process guidance and technical support to QA Inspectors and Technicians
• Conduct hands-on training to others at same or lower level within functional area to improve inspection proficiency and adherence to standards
• No authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, reward, or discipline other employees

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance to resolve quality issues in a timely manner
• Lead containment and corrective actions for nonconforming materials and processes
• Communicate effectively across departments and escalate issues as needed
• Present quality findings, trends, and improvement recommendations to cross-functional teams to support decision-making

Quality, Safety, & Compliance:

• Support proper implementation of processes and procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, deviations, and corrective actions

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Travel Requirement:

• None

Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

Required
:

• High school diploma, GED, or 2 years of prior experience in functional area

Preferred
:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Quality, Industrial Technology)
• Certified Quality Technician (CQT)
• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)

Essential

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or manufacturing inspection
• Strong working knowledge of quality systems, inspection methods, and root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, DMAIC)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data visualization tools (e.g., Foundry AI, Tableau, Power BI)
• Basic scripting knowledge, especially in Python, for data analysis and automation
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to lead and train cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage priorities, and make data-driven decisions
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English

Preferred Qualifications:

• 8+ years of related experience, including 3-5 years in QA roles with a strong focus on corrective and containment actions
• Six…