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.