Launch Quality Engineer, Stamping/BiW/Paint

About the Role
The Launch Quality Engineer supports Quality activities for new vehicle programs at the company from product and process development through prototype, pilot, pre-production, Start of Production, and early ramp-up. The role coordinates cross-functional launch Quality deliverables, verifies readiness at key program milestones, supports greenfield plant and manufacturing-line readiness, and drives disciplined issue management. Working with Product Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Quality, NPI, Incoming Quality, Logistics, and Operations, the engineer helps ensure vehicles, parts, processes, and Quality systems meet the company requirements and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the Launch Quality Plan for assigned vehicle systems, areas, or commodities, including APQP deliverables, Quality gates, readiness metrics, risks, and mitigation actions.
• Track Quality deliverables from development through Start of Production and early ramp-up and identify gaps that could affect build readiness, vehicle Quality, timing, or customer protection.
• Support prototype, pilot, and pre-production builds through build-event preparation, issue capture, containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and effectiveness verification.
• Coordinate cross-functional completion of design and manufacturing Quality deliverables, including APQP design reviews, DVPR, DFMEA/PFMEA, PPAP/LQP, process validation, Control Plans, inspection standards, measurement readiness, regulatory compliance requirements, and equipment qualification and validation.
• Assess Clear-to-Build and Quality Operations readiness with Manufacturing, NPI, Manufacturing Quality, Incoming Quality, Supplier Quality, Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations.
• Verify that new or changed parts, processes, tools, equipment, test systems, gages, work instructions, and reaction plans are validated and ready for launch.
• Support installation, commissioning, qualification, and validation of production lines and equipment from a Quality-readiness perspective.
• Develop and maintain launch-specific Quality procedures, launch Control Plans, inspection standards, sampling strategies, escalation paths, and safe-launch controls.
• Monitor supplier part maturity, PPAP status, incoming Quality performance, and launch issues in coordination with Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, and Incoming Quality.
• Lead structured root cause analysis and corrective action for launch, ramp-up, end-of-line, in-station, audit, early field, and warranty issues affecting customer experience.
• Maintain the launch issue-management process and Single Quality Agenda, ensuring clear ownership, due dates, escalation, supporting evidence, and closure criteria.
• Track and analyze launch Quality KPIs and build data, identify trends and risks, and prepare concise status, performance, and escalation reports for program and plant leadership.
• Facilitate cross-functional Quality reviews, maintain action tracking, and drive critical issues to timely closure.
• Capture lessons learned, benchmarking insights, and process capability improvements and ensure they are integrated into future builds and programs.
• Support a culture of accountability, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, built-in Quality, and continuous improvement.

Skills

• Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVPR, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, process validation, Quality gates, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Ability to coordinate complex cross-functional launch deliverables and work effectively across Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and plant teams.
• Hands-on experience supporting vehicle builds, floor-based root cause and corrective action, interim containment, permanent corrective action, and effectiveness validation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to use data, metrics, and risk assessments to prioritize issues and drive decisions.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, drawings, validation requirements, and manufacturing Quality documentation.
• Excellent written, verbal, meeting-facilitation, technical-reporting, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced launch environment.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrixed, multicultural, and multi-time-zone organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with PLM, MES, QMS, issue-management, and Quality-data systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in automotive product development, Launch Quality, Program Quality, or related operations.
• Practical experience with APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVPR, Control Plans, process validation, issue management, and automotive Quality tools.
• Ability to work on the manufacturing floor, support launch schedules and build events, and travel as required by program needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting new vehicle launches, major product changes, manufacturing operations, or plant launches from pre-production through Start of Production and ramp-up.
• Experience supporting prototype, pilot, or pre-production builds and driving cross-functional issue resolution.
• Greenfield plant, EV manufacturing, or major plant expansion experience.
• Working knowledge of vehicle systems and architecture with the ability to connect part-, system-, and vehicle-level Critical-to-Quality requirements.

Compensation & Benefits
The company offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in the company’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity
The company believes diversity strengthens everything we build. The company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility
The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA-Operations <@> thecompany.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the company Careers website.

Candidate Data Privacy
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