Launch Engineer

IAC Group; Alma (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IAC Group in Alma, MI is seeking a Launch Engineer to lead new product launches from award to production readiness, coordinating between customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, tooling, and program management.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in automotive launch, strong project management, and proficiency with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plans, plus ERP/PM tools. This on-site role requires travel to customers and suppliers and a relentless focus on milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 3–5 years automotive manufacturing or launch experience.
• Experience with APQP/PPAP, FMEA, and control plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead launches from award through production implementation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program Management.
• Maintain detailed launch timelines and schedules.
• Ensure PPAP submissions and customer milestones are met.
• Identify risks and implement countermeasures to meet timelines.
• Travel to customers and suppliers as needed.

Skills

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

Control Plans

Excel

Project

PowerPoint

Outlook

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Project management software

Job description

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.