Scientist

Do you want to join a team that’s changing the world? Do you have a strong background as an Analytical Scientist? 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 PENA team today!

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Responsibilities:

Job Title:

Scientist

Shift:

Monday-Friday

Department:

Materials Engineering

Job Summary:

Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) is seeking ambitious scientists to lead the worlds largest lithium-ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory to support Teslas electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. Panasonic invites you to join us in this ongoing full-scale effort to electrify our society. At PENA, you will quickly become an expert in the fundamentals of lithium-ion cell technology and work to integrate that understanding with high speed, automated manufacturing methods to produce the highest performance and highest quality lithium-ion batteries.

Our mission at PENA is to make the vision of affordable Electric Vehicles a reality by production of the worlds safest, highest-quality, and lowest-cost batteries. Through this effort we will create a clean energy society and our products will change societys use of and perceptions of electric power.

The Scientist I will work within the Materials Engineering team to support operations at the Gigafactory and development of a North American supply chain. Your primary role will be to act as the lead operator of certain analytical instrumentation and support analytical and materials development projects. The major analytical instrumentation includes: ICP-OES, ICP-MS, IC-MS, and electrochemical testing of coin cells. Experience with ICP-MS and ICP-OES is a priority.

Essential Duties:

• Create and maintain analytical method development and sample preparation for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC, GC-MS, IC-MS, GC-TCD and other instruments as needs are identified.
• Implement industry standards for test methods as appropriate.
• Day-to-day duties will consist of method development, hands-on operation of instruments, monitoring, routine maintenance, and clean-up.
• Perform general chemistry methods, including but not limited to instrument operation, titrations, dilutions, stock solution makeup.
• Generate and maintain detailed work records of wet chemical analyses and report data internally and externally.
• Support the design and execution of experiments to support team initiatives and projects
• Records and analyzes data and interprets results to determine next steps in projects
• Assure timely completion and achievement of project goals with supporting documentation.
• Employ environmentally friendly and safe work practices guided by SDS documentation and general familiarity with chemical hazards.
• Interact with other team members, providing timely feedback regarding assignment status, identifying potential barriers to project success, and soliciting help from team members as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

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:

Education:

• BS/MS in Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, or equivalent

Essential Qualifications:

• Evidence of exceptional ability. Panasonic follows a culture of full-cycle engineering where members will have full responsibility and accountability for their projects from start to finish. We are looking for the best of the best.
• Understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry and several analytical techniques
• Understanding of ICP-MS and ICP-OES, along with the ability to quickly learn and execute on new instrumentation
• Self-motivation and resourcefulness are required.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize work, and deliver quality results on time.
• Should be intuitive, adaptable, creative, and collaborative with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Data analysis skills with tools such as JMP, as well as data presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years experience in an analytical chemistry laboratory.
• Understanding of chemical analysis methods such as titration, MS, FTIR, UV-Vis, etc.
• Understanding of materials characterization techniques such as DSC, TGA, DMA, rheology, particle size analysis, XRD, etc.
• Experience in Li-ion coin cell fabrication and analysis.
• Experience presenting results and conclusions in team settings.

Preferred License(s):

• None

Preferred Certification(s):

• None

Physical Demands:

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

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

Tools and/or Equipment: (Required frequency is: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

• Keyboard/Computer: Continuous
• Office Equipment: Continuous
• Phone Continuous

Required Lifting and Carrying: (Required frequency is: Not required (0%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%, Continuous (67-100%)

• Up to 10 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 20 lbs.: Frequent
• Up to 35 lbs.: Frequent
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Frequent

About Us:

Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) is collaborating with Tesla at a massive battery factory near Reno, Nevada which is known for its quality of life and expansive outdoor adventures. Panasonic’s role at the Gigafactory is to manufacture and supply cylindrical lithium-ion cells to Tesla for their electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Over the past few years, the Gigafactory has grown to the largest lithium-ion battery factory in the world. Together with our partner Tesla, we continue to revolutionize the lithium-ion battery space and accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy and transportation.

Our mission at PENA is to make the vision of affordable Electric Vehicles a reality by producing the worlds safest, high quality, and lowest cost batteries. Through this effort we will create a clean energy society and our products will change societys use of and perceptions of electric power.

In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits.

Supplemental Information:

Pre-employment drug testing is required. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Panasonic is an Equal Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

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

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