Launch Engineer

Apex Recruitment - Leamington Spa; Warwick; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Recruitment is seeking an experienced Launch Engineer for a 6-month contract, outside IR35, based at locations in Warwick and Solihull. You will own vehicle components through validation, pilot builds, pre-production and production, collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Programme, Supplier and Engineering teams to meet cost, time and quality targets.

You will apply APQP, PPAP and FMEA while leading cross-functional teams to address risks, drive releases and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive launch, validation and industrialisation programmes.
• Strong understanding of component or system design, validation, manufacturing and production requirements.
• Proven project management and issue resolution capability.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of allocated components, systems or commodities through launch and industrialisation.
• Support pilot, pre-production and production vehicle builds.
• Drive issues through to resolution across engineering, manufacturing and supplier 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.
• Lead root cause investigations using 8D, PDCA, Fishbone and 5 Whys.
• Verify corrective actions and ensure issues are fully resolved.

Skills

APQP/PPAP/FMEA

Project management

Problem solving

Stakeholder collaboration

Automotive industry knowledge

Education

Degree-qualified engineer

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

Job description

Launch Engineer

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

As a Launch Engineer, you will:

• 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.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• 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.