Exterior Systems Launch Engineer

Workplace: On-site, 5 days per week.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Salary: $105,000-130,000

The Exterior Systems Launch Engineer will coordinate launch readiness and issue resolution for exterior components and systems on new vehicle programs. The role works across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, quality, and plant teams to help ensure parts and processes are ready for builds and production milestones.

Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate exterior-systems launch activities from pre-production builds through production ramp-up.
• Track open issues, milestones, risks, owners, and closure dates; communicate status to program stakeholders.
• Lead structured problem-solving for fit, function, appearance, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Support vehicle builds, plant trials, launch reviews, containment activities, and escalation processes.
• Review and help maintain DFMEAs, Control Plans, and related quality and launch-readiness deliverables.
• Verify that corrective actions are implemented and effective; document evidence and escalate unresolved risks.
• Coordinate supplier and plant support, including part availability, inspection, rework, and process readiness.
• Support alignment between engineering intent, manufacturing requirements, and build/production feedback

Required Qualifications

• Experience supporting automotive launch, manufacturing readiness, or vehicle build events.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to issue investigation and closure.
• Working knowledge of DFMEA and Control Plan development or review.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and suppliers under program timing constraints.
• Strong communication, organization, and issue-tracking skills.
• Willingness to support on-site launch activities in Louisville, Kentucky, as needed.

Additional Relevant Skills

• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, supplier quality, process validation, and production-readiness reviews.
• Experience using structured root-cause and corrective-action methods, such as 8D or equivalent.
• Knowledge of MSA, SPC, inspection planning, containment, and quality-gate processes.
• Experience with build tracking, issue-management systems, launch dashboards, and milestone reporting.
• Familiarity with exterior fit-and-finish, gap-and-flush, appearance quality, and assembly concerns.

Salary Range:
    • $105,000-$130,000
    • The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience