Launch Engineer

Ashby Finance; Warwick; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashby Finance is seeking experienced Launch Engineers to support a major automotive vehicle launch and industrialisation programme across Warwick and Solihull.

You will own selected vehicle commodities, drive validation, pilot builds and production releases, coordinating with Manufacturing, Quality and Suppliers to hit cost and timing targets. This is a 6-month contract, outside IR35, and contractors operate as Limited Company.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified engineer or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience in automotive launch or industrialisation programmes.
• Strong understanding of validation, manufacturing and production requirements.
• Proven project management and issue resolution capability.
• Experience using APQP, PPAP, FMEA and structured problem-solving tools.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of allocated components, systems or commodities during launch and industrialisation.
• Support pilot, pre-production and production vehicle builds.
• Drive issues to resolution with manufacturing, supplier and quality teams.
• Coordinate validation, sign-off and engineering release activities.
• Manage engineering changes, programme risks and build concerns.
• Apply APQP, PPAP, FMEA and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Analyze data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead root cause investigations using 8D, PDCA, Fishbone and 5 Whys.
• Verify corrective actions and ensure issues are resolved.
• Coordinate suppliers and cross-functional teams to achieve programme objectives.

Skills

Launch engineering

Automotive OEM

Project management

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

Job description

6-Month Contract | Outside IR35

Locations: Warwick & Solihull

The Role

We are recruiting a number of experienced Launch Engineers to support a major automotive vehicle launch and industrialisation programme.

Working as part of a dedicated launch team, the Launch Engineer will take engineering ownership of an allocated vehicle commodity or system, supporting its progression through validation, pilot build, pre-production and production. You will work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Programme, Supplier and Engineering teams to ensure components are delivered on time, to cost and to the required technical and quality standards.

Opportunities are available across a variety of vehicle systems, including:

• Cabin Trim
• Cockpit
• Doors & Closures
• Exterior Trim
• Exteriors
• Structures
• Axles
• Brakes
• Suspension
• Wheels & Tyres

Key Responsibilities

• Take engineering ownership of allocated components, systems or commodities throughout launch and industrialisation activities.
• Support pilot, pre-production and production vehicle builds.
• Drive engineering, manufacturing, supplier and quality issues through to resolution.
• Coordinate validation, sign-off and engineering release activities.
• Manage engineering changes, programme risks and build concerns.
• Apply APQP, PPAP, FMEA and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Analyse manufacturing, technical and quality data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead root cause investigations using techniques such as 8D, PDCA, Fishbone and 5 Whys.
• Verify corrective actions and ensure issues are fully resolved.
• Coordinate suppliers and cross-functional teams to achieve programme objectives.
• Escalate delivery, quality or timing risks where required.
• Record lessons learned and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate engineering status, risks and progress to launch and programme leadership teams.
• Support launch activity across Warwick and Solihull manufacturing and engineering facilities.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience within an automotive OEM, engineering consultancy or Tier 1 supplier environment.
• Experience supporting product development, vehicle launch, manufacturing or industrialisation programmes.
• Strong understanding of component or system design, validation, manufacturing and production requirements.
• Proven project management and issue resolution capability.
• Experience using APQP, PPAP, FMEA and structured problem-solving tools.
• Degree-qualified engineer or equivalent industry experience.

Desirable

• Experience supporting BEV programmes and vehicle launches.
• CAD literacy and ability to interrogate CAD data.
• CATIA V5/V6 experience.
• Knowledge of quality management systems, control plans and process flows.

Candidate Profile

The successful Launch Engineer will thrive in a fast-paced launch environment and be comfortable managing multiple engineering issues simultaneously. You will possess a proactive approach, excellent problem-solving capability and the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality and supplier teams.

A successful Launch Engineer will be delivery-focused, highly organised and capable of driving actions through to completion whilst maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

Please note, this role is deemed outside of IR35 - you will be operating as a Limited Company Contractor.