Launch Engineer

Minth North America, Inc.; Lewisburg (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturer is seeking a Launch Engineer to ensure the successful integration and launch of new products and processes. This role involves working with engineering, operations, and quality teams to meet production goals. Responsibilities include overseeing process readiness, leading cost reduction efforts, and coordinating product launches. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in the automotive industry, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience in the automotive industry is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure successful integration and launch of new products.
• Oversee process readiness and resolve issues.
• Participate in cost model revisions with the program management team.

Skills

Process readiness

Cost modeling

Plant capacity analysis

Launch coordination

Continuous improvement

Job description

We are looking for a Launch Engineer who can be a part of a growing company.

The Launch Engineer in the automotive industry ensures the successful integration and launch of new products and processes within manufacturing facilities. This role bridges engineering, operations, and quality teams to meet production goals and deliver high-quality vehicles. The Launch Engineer oversees process readiness, identifies and resolves issues, and ensures a seamless transition from prototype to mass production. Other responsibilities include:

• RFQ process – As a representative of the plant, participate actively in defining drawings/math data, processes, tooling/equipment design in the cheapest, easiest and most successful way for launch.
• Weekly one-page (GM tracking) – Cost Model Improvements. Define and confirm with the team the needs of the plant, including materials, labour, process implementation, automation, error proofing, equipment, floor layout and potential investment needed for new launch programs.
• Monthly Cost Model Revision - Lead – the monthly revision with the program management team to improve, detect and prevent potential issues that may cause an impact on the gross margin.
• Plant Capacity for new business – Understand and apply plant capacity analysis for new business and improve the plant capacity.
• Program Investments – Analyze and define the program investment plan. Understand the tech specification of new equipment investment to ensure the equipment and layout will be ready and efficient for production.
• Launch coordination (Before tool transfer) – Participate actively in the launch development, assisting the customer requirements and program management requirements from the plant.
• Participate and understand the GD&T requirements to make sure the plant will be able to achieve the customer standards to produce the needed parts, based on the tool capabilities defined by the development team.
• Organize the plant for the preparation of materials, labour, production planning, production line, and WIP racks.
• Plan the trail productions and sample submissions.
• Identify and cultivate means to avoid risk in program development.
• Assist and participate in the customer ECRs during the launch phase.
• Lead equipment/tooling buy off, before tool transfer to the plant (Understand and apply CP, CPK and run at rate analysis).

Launch coordination (After tool transfer)

• Assist the PPAP process to get PSW approval.
• Lead the cost reduction process (Scrap, labour, cycle time, etc).
• Assist the team in resolving the issue from trial production, achieve the capacity, appearance, dimension and cost target.
• Plan the trail productions and sample submissions.
• Lead equipment/tooling buy off, before tool transfer to the plant (Understand and apply CP, CPK and run at rate analysis).
• Coordinate the customer ECRs after tool transfer and SOP +90 days.
• Internal ECRs – Lead the ECR development till SOP/implementation date. Assisting with the requirements from the plant.
• Continuous Improvement projects – Lead the improvement projects related to floor layout, utility supply, cycle time and other responsibilities, through an open issues list.
• Part number setup – Lead and support the plant requirements for part number setup, BOM changes, etc. Through the ECR process.
• Document support – Update the documents for production, including, Control plan, WI, PFMEA, Flowchart, etc.