Senior Launch Engineer

Yanfeng; Fountain Inn (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive interiors company is seeking a professional to lead product launch initiatives and ensure plant readiness in Fountain Inn, SC. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business, along with 1-3 years of relevant experience. Key responsibilities include leading meetings for new product launches, managing schedules for production builds, and working closely with various teams to ensure a successful launch. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of manufacturing processes will be advantageous.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in the field.
• Experience in new product launch or operational leadership.
• Ability to travel and work in various conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead launch meetings and ensure materials are available.
• Manage preproduction builds and drive timelines.
• Oversee plant launch readiness and coordinate with teams.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

New product launch experience

Operational leadership

Education

Bachelor's Level Degree in Engineering, Business or similar

Tools

KT

Six Sigma

8D

ERP

Job description

Overview

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is the global leader in automotive interiors. YFAI is redefining how people relax, work and play in their vehicle interiors today and decades from now. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has 114 manufacturing plants and technical centers in 20 countries and more than 33,000 employees globally. They design, develop and manufacture interior components for all automakers. Established in 2015, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO), the component group of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor), and Adient, the global leader in automotive seating. For more information, please visit www.YFAI.com.

Responsibilities

Supervisory Capacity: No Supervisory Responsibilities.

• Lead weekly launch glide path meetings and participant in weekly new product launch meetings from product feasibility through SOP and participating in all Manufacturing Sign-Off events.
• Lead Plant Launch Readiness reviews with leadership team.
• Ensure all materials are present and available for preproduction and production builds.
• Ensure accurate inventory counts are maintained.
• Segregate materials from current production materials.
• Facilitate hand off of new product/equipment/processes ("launch") from launch team to plant leadership team through the use of the following processes, procedures, work instructions and forms: Launch Glide path, Launch Readiness Reviews, R@R's, Process Sign-Off1, Process Sing-Off 2 and Launch performance report.
• Utilize the Launch Glide path to systematically drive actions and accountability to required tasks and deliverables to the predetermined program timeline. Report Launch Glide path status to launch team, Plant staff and NA leadership team through Launch Performance Reports.
• Drive / coordinate the schedule for preproduction builds, power builds, burst builds preparing the plant for successful first time Run at Rate.
• Lead 3 Launch Readiness Reviews in phase 4. Document open issues, actions, owners and dates. Align with Program Manager on what meeting (Launch or Plant glide path/ PSO) will track and follow through on all open issues. Drive open issues to closure to accommodate successful launch.
• Facilitate Run at Rate event(s) 90 days prior to SOP. Internal and external events to validate overall plant readiness to perform to expectation (safety, quality, delivery, financial) at or Before SOP.
• Responsible for interface with Program Management to assure all Phase requirements are completed by the Launch team and provided in the proper formats to the plant (s).
• Assures plant has all support needed from internal organization to launch plant/product successfully. Must eliminate any "roadblocks" which may hinder plant achieving goals.
• Assist Plant Materials team in completing customer specific capacity data sheets. Utilizing corporate capacity planning data, transpose into customer required documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required Education Level: Bachelor's Level Degree. Area of Study: Engineering, or Business or similar. * Equivalent work experience may also be considered for certain positions.

Required Qualifications

• 1-3 Minimum Years of Experience within the field.
• Must have new product launch experience in a functional discipline or operational leadership experience in a plant.
• Must have solid problem-solving skills (preferably Problem-Solving tool knowledge: KT, Six Sigma, 8D, etc.).

Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience with program or project management. General understanding of timelines, timeline software.
• Preferred experience with interiors manufacturing processes (I.e., Injection Molding, Vacuum forming, Slush, Airbag scoring).
• Preferred experience with materials and logistics (I.e., ERP, QAD).