Automotive Launch Program Lead

CSP; North Baltimore (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

CSP is seeking a seasoned Launch Program Manager to lead and coordinate all activities from award through production stabilization for automotive programs. You will develop timelines, align cross-functional teams, and ensure readiness across engineering, operations, and supply chain.

The role requires managing APQP/PPAP activities, BOMs, PFMEAs, and control plans while driving continuous improvement and on-time customer deliveries. Extensive travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field) required.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, engineering, program management, or launch management.
• Proven experience leading new product launches from development through mass production.
• Demonstrated project leadership and cross-functional team management experience.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Validation, and Run-at-Rate activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all activities related to new product launches and engineering changes from program award through production stabilization.
• Develop and maintain program launch timelines, ensuring key milestones and customer timing requirements are achieved.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Materials, Maintenance, and Supply Chain throughout the launch process.
• Identify, develop, and implement manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production methods required for new products.
• Establish and maintain BOMs, routings, process flows, control plans, and PFMEAs for new programs.
• Support APQP activities and ensure completion of all customer and internal gateway requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate PPAP submissions to obtain customer approval for production shipments and tooling invoices.
• Lead manufacturing process validation activities, including production trials, pilot builds, run-at-rate events, and capability studies.
• Ensure production systems are capable of meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives prior to SOP.
• Partner with plant leadership to ensure staffing, training, work instructions, and operational readiness requirements are completed.
• Support customer launch reviews, audits, readiness assessments, and plant visits.
• Monitor launch performance metrics and implement corrective actions to address quality, delivery, or operational issues.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities and root cause analysis related to launch challenges.
• Support launch activities on-site at manufacturing facilities and customer locations as required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to stabilize production and improve launch performance.
• Document lessons learned and incorporate best practices into future program launches.

Skills

Program management

Launch management

Cross-functional leadership

Project planning

Lean principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

CSP is seeking a seasoned Launch Program Manager to lead and coordinate all activities from award through production stabilization for automotive programs. You will develop timelines, align cross-functional teams, and ensure readiness across engineering, operations, and supply chain.

The role requires managing APQP/PPAP activities, BOMs, PFMEAs, and control plans while driving continuous improvement and on-time customer deliveries. Extensive travel may be required.