STA Launch Engineer

Ford; Dearborn, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle discount program for employees

Tuition assistance

Paid time off & holidays

Medical, dental coverage

Job summary

Ford in Dearborn, MI seeks a STA Launch Engineer to manage supplier quality and launch readiness across the new-model development process. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive APQP/PPAP execution, and monitor supplier deliverables to ensure on-time PSW approvals and production readiness.

You will coordinate with suppliers, program teams, and site STA to resolve issues, manage PPAP timing, and support milestone reviews and pre-production builds. Domestic travel 50–75% required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science/Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Be proficient in English when working with global teams.
• Knowledge of STA Quality tools and systems.
• Knowledge of new model launch tools and systems.
• Ability to develop and present materials to leadership on short notice.
• Ability to lead resolution of manufacturing, quality, and/or capacity issues on-site with suppliers.
• Ability to travel in the US, Canada, and Mexico approximately 50-75% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Identify all the New Tooled End Items for the program including Multi-Party Agreements and directed tier 2 suppliers.
• Represent and be supplier advocate in Cross-Functional Meetings.
• Develop program specific NTEI file containing pertinent part number information. Load and maintain program information in the eAPQP System (include late starters, design changes, VPP updates, etc).
• Obtain site codes for each NTEI from Program Purchasing to initiate eAPQP Schedule A submission requests.
• Lead Priority supplier selection using GPDS Priority filter, facilitate concurrence with PD, Purchasing and Site STA and notify suppliers.
• Lead Supplier Champion Process supplier selection using Supplier Champion filter, facilitate concurrence with PD, Purchasing and Site STA.
• Train suppliers and cross functional team members on the Supplier Engagement Process and the APQP/PPAP Readiness Assessment.
• Manage and track on-time completion of GPDS priority supplier team evaluations.
• Tracking PPAP and Schedule A status and submission requirements to the Site STA Organization and Supply Base.
• Prepare standard documents for all Milestone Reviews, SARs and OESAR/NML Assessment.
• Drive resolution of all YELLOW/RED deliverables with cross functional team members.
• Participate in PAT, PST and PMT change control meetings; collaborate with CPMT leaders and Purchasing Program managers.
• Support NMP Part Pedigree meetings and develop Parts Pedigree Risk and Industrialization Readiness Assessment prior to each build for review with STA leadership.
• Aggressively manage and review Phased PPAP status and timing plans to deliver on time Phase PPAP approvals.
• Arrange cross functional meetings to drive PPAP issues resolution and manage action plans to assure on time PSW approvals.
• Proactively monitor, manage and elevate significant issues inhibiting Supplier PPAP/launch risks.
• Drive on-time PPAP completion through OTG meetings and communicate PSW status and delinquencies.
• Provide onsite STA Launch support for Build events.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Technical problem-solving

Leading multiple suppliers

APQP/PPAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science/Engineering

Tools

APQP/PPAP

eAPQP

GPDS

Job description

In this position ...

The STA Launch Engineer is responsible for managing supplier quality and launch readiness across the new-model development process. This position serves as a key connection between suppliers and Ford’s cross-functional program teams, ensuring that new and changed components meet quality, timing, capacity, and production-readiness requirements.

The engineer drives APQP and Phased PPAP execution, monitors supplier deliverables, identifies and escalates launch risks, and facilitates action plans to support on-time PSW approval. The role also supports milestone reviews, supplier engagement activities, prototype and pre-production builds, and the resolution of supplier-related quality issues through structured problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration. Success in this position requires strong program management, communication, technical problem-solving, and the ability to lead multiple suppliers and stakeholders through critical launch milestones.

What you will do...

• Identify all the New Tooled End Items for the program includingMulti-PartyAgreements anddirected tier 2 suppliers.
• Represent and be supplier advocate in Cross-Functional Meetings
• Develop program specific NTEI file containing pertinent part number information. Load and maintain program information in the eAPQP System( include late starters, design changes, VPP updates, etc)
• Obtain site codesfor each NTEIfrom Program Purchasing to initiate eAPQP Schedule A submission requests.
• LeadPriority supplier selection using GPDS Priority filter,facilitate concurrence with PD (Product Development), Purchasing and Site STA (Supplier Technical Assistance) and notify suppliers
• Lead Supplier Champion Process supplier selection using Supplier Champion filter,facilitate concurrence with PD (Product Development), Purchasing and Site STA (Supplier Technical Assistance).
• Train suppliers and cross functional team members, as required, on the Supplier Engagement Process and the APQP/PPAP (Advanced Product Quality Planning/Production Part Approval Process) Readiness Assessment.
• Manage and track on-time completion of GPDS priority supplier team evaluations.
• Tracking PPAP and Schedule A (External Supplier APQP/PPAP Readiness Assessment) status andsubmission requirements to the Site STA Organization and Supply Base.
• Prepare standard documents for all Milestone Reviews, Special Attention Reviews (SAR)and OESAR /NML Assessment)
• Drive resolution of all YELLOW/RED deliverables with cross functional team members.
• Participate in PAT (Program Activity Team), PST (Program Steering Team) and PMT (Program Module Team)change controlmeetings.Collaborate with CPMT (Component Program Module Team) leaders and Purchasing Program managers to understand program related changes impacting launch.
• Support NMP Part Pedigree meetings and develop Parts Pedigree Riskand Industrialization ReadinessAssessment prior to each build for review with STA leadership
• Aggressively manage and review Phased PPAP status and timing plans to deliver on time Phase PPAP approvals
• Arrange cross functional meetings to drive PPAP issues resolution and manage action plans to assure on time PSW approvals
• Proactively monitor, manage and elevate significant issues inhibiting Supplier PPAP/launch risks
• Drive on-time PPAP completion through OTG (Open-to-Go) meetings,PPAP timing alignment with eAPQPand communicate PSW status and delinquencies to Site STA and Program Team.
• Provide onsite STALaunchsupport for Build events (e.g.DCV(Design CompletionVerification) builds, PCF / TCB (Part Coordinate Fixture/Trim Coordination Build), etc.)
• Drive resolution of supplier quality issues raised through AIMS(Automated Issues Management System). Leadcontainment, 8D follow up, ICA / PCA activity. In case of AIMS related to carry over partsengageIncoming Quality,Site or Resident STA engineers as necessary.
• Support Start up Meetings / FCPA (Ford Consumer Product Audit), VOCF (Voice of Customer Fleet), Campaign Prevention/Fresh Eyes, Craftsmanship, R202, DEMS, Hard Rocks, Shortage meetings, White Board reviews.

You'll have ...

• Bachelor of Science/Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Be proficient in English when working with global teams
• Knowledge of STA Quality tools and systems
• Knowledge of new model launch tools and systems
• Ability to develop and present materials to leadership on short notice
• Ability to lead resolution of manufacturing, quality, and/or capacity issues on-site with suppliers
• Ability to travel in the US, Canada, and Mexico approximately 50-75% of the time

Even Better ...

• The following skills and experiences are recommendedqualifications for this role:
  • Manufacturing and Quality Experience
  • Cross-Functional/culture work experience
  • Program management experience
• Extensive knowledge in manufacturing
• Knowledge of AIAG (APQP), Product Planning Approval Process (PPAP) and extensive use of Quality Tools (5 Why, 8D, etc)

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $84,480-141,360.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $96,720-162,120.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite 4 or more days per week.

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