Senior Launch Engineer

Volvo Car Germany GmbH; South Carolina; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Parental leave policy

Volvo Employee Lease Program (VELP)

Job summary

Volvo Cars is seeking a Senior Launch Engineer for the Body Shop Launch team in the US. You will own launch workstreams, drive readiness from Virtual Build through SOP +90, and ensure production handover with disciplined issue resolution.

Join a role that requires cross-functional leadership, strong technical judgment, and a commitment to safe, sustainable manufacturing results. This position emphasizes collaboration and continuous improvement within Volvo Cars' Launch Quality framework.

Qualifications

• Experience in an active manufacturing production environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making in fast-paced settings.
• Ability to lead through influence across functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project tools.

Responsibilities

• Launch ownership — lead Body Shop launch workstreams and track closure.
• Drive production readiness from Virtual Build to SOP +90 days.
• Coordinate cross-functional decisions with multiple stakeholders.
• Lead structured resolution of launch issues with clear ownership.
• Provide input to launch health reporting with risks and actions.
• Support launch quality, process capability, and stability.
• Plan and prioritize work to meet objectives and critical paths.
• Provide senior technical direction on Body Shop launch topics.
• Ensure effective handover to production organization.
• Model Volvo Cars culture with collaboration and accountability.
• Operate in compliance with legal and company processes.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Project management

Problem solving

Leadership / influence

MS Word / Excel / PowerPoint / Project

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

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Senior Launch Engineer

Let's introduce ourselves

The Senior Launch Engineer is a key member of the Body Shop Launch organization and is directly involved in the Launch Quality Operating System (LQOS) and the Volvo Product Development System (VPDS). The role supports the launch program from Virtual Build through SOP +90 days, translating program requirements into stable, production-ready execution within A Shop.Reporting to the Head of Launch, this position provides senior technical leadership across launch activities, drives cross-functional alignment, and ensures that risks, open issues, resources, and deliverables are managed with the urgency and discipline required for a successful production launch.

What you'll do

• Launch ownership - Lead assigned Body Shop launch workstreams and ensure launch requirements are understood, planned, executed, tracked, and closed in line with LQOS and program timing.
• Production readiness - Drive readiness from Virtual Build through SOP +90 by identifying gaps, defining countermeasures, escalating risks, and confirming sustainable handover to the production organization.
• Cross-functional integration - Work closely with Launch, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, Logistics, Product/Program teams, and other stakeholders to ensure decisions and actions are aligned across functions.
• Issue leadership - Lead structured resolution of launch issues using facts, data, clear ownership, due dates, and escalation when required. Maintain focus on root cause, containment, permanent corrective action, and verification of effectiveness.
• Launch health reporting - Provide accurate, concise input to Body Shop Launch Health reporting, including status, risks, actions, decisions needed, and recovery plans for launch-related items.
• Quality and process stability - Support achievement of launch quality, process capability, production stability, and repeatability by ensuring identified concerns are addressed before they become sustained production losses.
• Planning and prioritization - Organize work, priorities, and available resources so short- and long-term launch objectives are delivered efficiently and critical-path activities remain visible.
• Senior technical direction - Provide practical production-based input and direction on Body Shop launch topics and support sound decision-making with clear technical judgment.
• Operational handover - Ensure launch deliverables, open-item ownership, standards, and lessons learned are transferred effectively to the receiving production organization.
• Leadership and culture - Model the aspired Volvo Cars culture through collaboration, accountability, transparency, respect, and a strong commitment to safe and sustainable business results.
• Compliance and governance - Operate in accordance with applicable legal requirements, company compliance standards, delegated authorities, processes, procedures, and instructions.

What you'll bring

• Demonstrated experience in an active manufacturing production environment, with strong working knowledge of at least one area such as Stamping, Body-in-White, Paint & Plastic, TCF, Quality, or MP&L.
• Hands-on project management and/or vehicle launch experience with the ability to manage multiple priorities, risks, stakeholders, and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to lead through influence, communicate clearly across functions and levels, and drive accountability without losing collaboration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• High school diploma or GED.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Broad Body Shop / BIW manufacturing knowledge and prior experience supporting production ramp-up, launch readiness, or operational handover.
• Experience presenting complex launch status, risks, and technical topics to senior leadership in a concise, decision-oriented format.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Let's Talk Benefits

• Join Volvo Cars and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits designed with you in mind. Our programs offer choice, flexibility, and exceptional value, including competitive medical, dental, and vision plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and a wellness program with discounts and gifts, most of which start on day one of employment. You'll also have access to voluntary benefits and a robust retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer The Family Bond by Volvo Cars, a global paid parental leave policy covering all employees, including adoptive, permanent care foster, and surrogate parents. Additionally, employees and their eligible family members can lease a new Volvo at discounted rates through the Volvo Employee Lease Program (VELP). At Volvo Cars, our benefits extend beyond the workplace to enhance your life and support your family.

Volvo Car is an equal opportunity employer. The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.