Launch Engineer

Position Summary

The Launch Engineer is responsible for leading and coordinating new product launches from program award through successful production implementation. This position serves as a key liaison between customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, tooling, and program management to ensure all launch milestones are achieved on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment and possess exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Manage new product launches from quote award through production readiness and safe launch activities.

- Coordinate cross-functional launch activities between Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, and Program Management teams.

- Develop, maintain, and communicate detailed launch timelines and project schedules.

- Track and ensure completion of all customer milestones, APQP deliverables, and internal launch requirements.

- Lead launch meetings and provide regular status updates to management and customers.

- Coordinate tooling build activities, tool trials, mold qualifications, and production readiness reviews.

- Support manufacturing process development for injection molding, assembly, and paint operations.

- Collaborate with Quality teams to ensure PPAP submissions are completed on time and meet customer requirements.

- Coordinate equipment installation, validation, run-at-rate activities, and production trials.

- Identify launch risks and develop countermeasures to maintain program timing and deliverables.

- Facilitate prototype and pre-production builds to verify process capability and readiness.

- Work closely with customers, particularly General Motors, to address engineering changes, launch concerns, and timing requirements.

- Support implementation and tracking of engineering changes throughout the product lifecycle.

- Participate in safe launch and launch containment activities as required.

- Travel occasionally to customers, suppliers, and tooling locations.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field preferred.

- Minimum 3-5 years of automotive manufacturing or launch experience.

- Experience supporting Tier 1 automotive supplier operations.

- Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and customer launch requirements.

- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

- Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills.

- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Familiarity with process validation, run-at-rate events, and capacity planning.

- Knowledge of GD&T, SPC, and MSA.

- Experience with ERP and project management systems.

Key Competencies

- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple launch programs simultaneously.

- Strong attention to detail and follow-through on commitments and deadlines while working with cross-functional teams to achieve launch objectives.

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and all levels of the organization.

- Ability to present launch status, risks, and recovery plans to leadership.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to walk production floors for extended periods.

- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

- Ability to travel as required to support launch activities.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by:

- On-time execution of launch milestones.

- Successful PPAP submissions and customer approvals.

- Achievement of production readiness targets.

- Effective management of engineering changes.

- Launches completed with minimal disruption to production and customer schedules.

- High levels of customer satisfaction and program performance.