Launch Excellence Engineer

General Motors; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors is seeking a Global Propulsion Systems Manufacturing Engineering Launch Excellence Engineer to drive manufacturing launch performance from launch through the post-Start of Regular Production (SORP) stabilization, reporting to the assigned plant, with 80% travel and onsite work.

You will harness data, problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to resolve issues affecting launch deliverables, partnering with ME, MO, OEM, and virtual manufacturing teams to deliver against the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience leading cross-functional problem solving in a manufacturing or plant environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead across safety, people, quality, responsiveness, and cost priorities.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing systems, plant business processes, and continuous-improvement methods.
• Proven ability to identify issues, perform root-cause analysis, make decisions, and drive sustainable resolution.

Responsibilities

• Launch performance and operational excellence with a target of 100% on-time performance through SORP.
• Data-driven issue management using analytics tools to identify, visualize, and prioritize launch issues.
• Quality and manufacturing systems improvements across product families and process stages.
• Culture and team leadership to foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Problem solving

Communication skills

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Power BI

Databricks

Q-DAS

Python

SQL

Job description

Job Description At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features. Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

As a Global Propulsion Systems Manufacturing Engineering (GPS ME) Launch Excellence Engineer, you will drive manufacturing launch performance from launch through the post-Start of Regular Production (SORP) stabilization period. You will use data, structured problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to identify and resolve the quality, downtime, throughput, and manufacturing-system issues that affect launch deliverables. You will partner with Manufacturing Engineering (ME), Manufacturing Operations (MO), plant launch teams, Virtual Manufacturing, and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners to deliver against the GPS ME organizational goal: launch, build, and ship to plan, with a target of 100% on-time performance through SORP. This is an onsite role. The successful candidate is expected to report to the assigned launch plant. Site locations may change based on current launch activities.

What you’ll do

Launch performance and operational excellence

Drive post-SORP launch performance improvement, with a target of achieving 100% of Mean Cycles Between Failures (MCBF) station targets by SORP + 6 months. Track the GPS ME Stand-Alone Good Throughput (SAGT) achievement glide path and timing plan for each program and site. Validate Powertrain Production Monitoring and Control (PTPM&C) functionality for accuracy, and execution status to support prioritized glide-path milestones. Track purchased station cycle-time performance and develop action plans with ME, MO, and OEM teams to achieve commitments. Strengthen the relationship between ME and MO by improving launch processes, standardized work, launch-wall routines, Plant Launch Operations Wall (PLOW), and launch deliverables.

Data-driven issue management

Use Power BI, Databricks, PTPM&C, Q-DAS quality and statistical process control software, and related analytics tools to identify, visualize, and prioritize launch performance issues. Develop dashboards that collect, analyze, and track downtime, throughput, quality, scrap, First Time Quality (FTQ), and virtual manufacturing issues for each program and site. Establish daily and weekly Throughput Improvement Process (TIP) reviews for top issues and MCBF performance to drive prioritization, ownership, containment, root-cause analysis, and closure. Assign cross-functional owners and teams from ME, MO, and OEM partners to the highest-priority issues. Establish weekly launch-performance reviews with GM ME, MO, and key OEM leadership. Develop Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled systems for throughput data collection, analysis, and actionable insights.

Quality and manufacturing systems

Identify and implement top scrap and FTQ improvements for each product family to improve product quality and reduce future warranty claims. Assess virtual manufacturing processes, inputs, status, and results across casting, fabrication, machining, assembly, and test systems. Partner with Virtual Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, and Manufacturing Operations to investigate issues and propose improved manufacturing-system solutions. Create or update standardized work when process inefficiencies or execution gaps are identified. Train operations teams to sustain the TIP process throughout the program life cycle.

Culture and team leadership

Create an employee experience in which team members can thrive and perform at their best. Strengthen a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and alignment with the Global Manufacturing System (GMS). Lead through changing priorities, operational disruption, and ambiguity while maintaining focus on safety, people, quality, responsiveness, and cost.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Controls, Industrial, Manufacturing, or a related field, or relevant experience in lieu of degree.

Experience leading cross-functional problem solving in a manufacturing or plant environment.

Demonstrated ability to lead across safety, people, quality, responsiveness, and cost priorities.

Working knowledge of manufacturing systems, plant business processes, and continuous-improvement methods.

Proven ability to identify issues, perform root-cause analysis, make decisions, and drive sustainable resolution.

Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, operations leaders, and senior stakeholders.

Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, fast-paced team environment.

High comfort with ambiguity, changing priorities, and developing new capabilities and standardized work.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence without direct authority.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

Experience with machining processes, equipment, and manufacturing systems.

Experience with launch, manufacturing engineering, manufacturing operations, or plant performance improvement.

Knowledge of the Theory of Constraints and experience identifying and resolving manufacturing bottlenecks.

Ability to determine which equipment, process constraints, and performance losses have the greatest impact on throughput and launch performance.

Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex equipment and process issues.

Experience using Power BI, Databricks, PTPM&C, Q-DAS, or similar manufacturing and data-analytics platforms.

Familiarity with AI solutions and applications in manufacturing.

Experience with Python and SQL for automation, data processing, or analytics.

Experience processing and analyzing large datasets to enable root-cause analysis and operational decision-making.

Experience with virtual manufacturing or manufacturing systems spanning casting, fabrication, machining, assembly, and test.

Work arrangement

This is an onsite role based at the assigned launch plant and requires 80% or more travel to support active launch programs. The primary work location may change based on current program and launch requirements.

#LI-MH1 GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis. The selected candidate will be required to travel at least 50% or more on a frequent basis. This job may be eligible for relocation benefits. This position requires the ability to legally operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis. A company vehicle will only be provided for this role by passing the Motor Vehicle Report review.

About GM

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