Launch Lead Engineer

Tata Technologies

Liverpool

On-site

GBP 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme – We match employee 5%

Privilege Scheme – up to 20% off JLR

Health Assured – Employee Assistance

Health Shield – Private Health Cash

Job summary

Tata Technologies is recruiting a Launch Lead Engineer to be based at our Customer Site in Halewood. The role focuses on planning, coordinating and delivering all manufacturing launch activities from prototype builds through to SOP and Hypercare, ensuring readiness, quality and timely delivery.

The role requires strong project management, cross-functional collaboration and knowledge of APQP/PPAP processes, with responsibility for coordinating supplier readiness and leading launch reviews.

Qualifications

Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline.
Experience supporting vehicle or manufacturing programme launches.
Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, GP12, Safe Launch, and Production Readiness processes.
Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the programme launch plan and readiness activities.
Coordinate gateway reviews and manufacturing readiness assessments.
Lead prototype, pilot, validation, and production trial builds.
Act as the central interface between Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, STA, Logistics, Purchasing, and Programme teams.
Verify process, tooling, facilities, equipment, and workforce readiness.
Lead structured problem-solving activities for launch concerns.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Launch tracking systems

APQP/PPAP knowledge

Job description

At Tata Technologies we make product development dreams a reality by designing, engineering and validating the products of tomorrow for the world’s leading manufacturers. Due to our continued growth we are now recruiting for a Launch Lead Engineer to be based at our Customer Site, Halewood.

Role Purpose

The Launch Lead Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering all manufacturing launch activities from prototype builds through Pilot, VP, TT, Job 1 (J1), and Hypercare. The role ensures production readiness, supplier readiness, issue resolution, and achievement of quality, cost, and timing targets during new product introduction (NPI).

Key Responsibilities

Launch Planning & Readiness

Develop and manage the programme launch plan and readiness activities.
Coordinate gateway reviews and manufacturing readiness assessments.
Monitor launch deliverables across Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, STA, Logistics, Production, and Suppliers.
Ensure completion of all launch readiness criteria before each build phase.

Build Event Management

Lead prototype, pilot, validation, and production trial builds.
Coordinate issue identification, containment, and resolution activities.
Track build metrics, defects, throughput, and quality performance.

Cross-Functional Coordination

Act as the central interface between Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, STA, Logistics, Purchasing, and Programme teams.
Lead daily launch reviews and escalation meetings.
Ensure actions are assigned, tracked, and closed on time.
Support supplier launch readiness reviews.
Coordinate supplier escalation and risk mitigation activities.
Monitor APQP, PPAP, GP12, and Safe Launch activities.
Work closely with STA teams to resolve supplier-related concerns.

Manufacturing Readiness

Verify process, tooling, facilities, equipment, and workforce readiness.
Ensure operator training and standard work implementation.
Verify production control plans and manufacturing documentation.
Support production ramp-up activities.

Quality & Problem Resolution

Lead structured problem-solving activities for launch concerns.
Coordinate containment and corrective action implementation.
Support PFMEA, Control Plan, and Lessons Learned updates.
Drive achievement of launch quality targets.

Launch Governance & Reporting

Maintain launch dashboards, risk registers, and action trackers.
Provide regular status updates to programme leadership.
Escalate critical risks affecting timing, cost, or quality.
Support executive launch reviews and customer meetings.
Lead Job 1 readiness reviews.
Coordinate launch support during Start of Production (SOP).
Manage Hypercare activities and issue resolution.
Drive smooth transition from launch to series production.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Manufacturing readiness achievement.
Job 1 delivery against programme timing.
Open launch issue closure rate.
Build event success metrics.
Supplier launch readiness.
First-Time-Through (FTT) performance.
Hypercare completion and production stabilisation.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline.
Experience supporting vehicle or manufacturing programme launches.
Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, GP12, Safe Launch, and Production Readiness processes.
Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing teams.
Strong risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent stakeholder and project management skills.
Experience in BIW, Paint, T&F, PTME, Logistics, or Supplier Quality environments.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
Familiarity with issue management tools and launch tracking systems.

Key Interfaces