ME Launch Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Process Engineer passionate about new product launches, engineering change management, and continuous improvement in highly automated assembly. In this role, you will be the technical owner of the assembly process for the current and new program at the Irapuato Electric Powertrain Center (IEPC). You will manage product and tooling changes end to end, validate processes and equipment through launch milestones, and turn plant opportunities into financially justified investment projects, working closely with Product Development, Quality, Maintenance, Industrial Engineering, and equipment suppliers.

You will report to the 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engineering Change Governance: Lead the Manage the Change (MTC) and WERS process for the business unit. Assess the impact of product design and tooling changes on cycle time, stations, headcount, equipment, schedule, and cost. Make sure process sheets, work instructions, and station configurations are updated with every approved change, and represent manufacturing in product team meetings (TPMT/CPMT).

• Process Validation and Launch Readiness: Take part in early design reviews (DFMA/PFMEA), weekly equipment validation meetings, supplier run-offs, and machine acceptance. Support Production Trial Runs (PTR1–PTR3) and the production ramp-up, and support Workstation Readiness. Capture findings, track closure of open issues (CCAR/AIM/JIRA/JAMA), and confirm that equipment and error-proofing meet requirements before release to production.

• Investment Projects and Business Cases: Identify losses and savings opportunities, and build the financial justification for efficiency and CAPEX projects. Register them in corporate systems (MEARS, SAP, CIB). Coordinate process evaluation sheets and cost study requests (PES/CSR), and package technical needs to compete for annual investment funds.

• Budget and Purchasing Control: Manage the budget for the projects you own, from requisition to purchase order and payment, in line with controlling standards (Ariba). Prepare cost-versus-schedule scenarios to support launch decisions.

• Safety and Ergonomics: Make sure new and modified workstations meet ergonomic standards. Coordinate the annual High Hurts process and the mitigation projects that follow it. Work with the Safety Engineer to assess risks of new technologies (for example induction heating, laser welding, liquid nitrogen) before equipment is accepted.

• Line Performance and Problem Solving: Work with cross-functional teams to solve chronic issues that affect throughput (JPH), scrap, and downtime, using FPS tools such as POKAR. Resolve KUP findings and define the critical processes to include from start of production.

• Quality Verification and Documentation: Support launch readiness reviews (LRCA). Keep PFMEA, Control Plans, process sheets, and reaction plans consistent with each other. Help define verification strategies where destructive testing is not possible.

• Maintenance and Reliability: Define backup, bypass, and quick-recovery methods (BBQ) with Maintenance and Industrial Engineering. Lead the post-launch equipment reliability review (Health Charts) when required.

• Workforce Optimization and Team Development: Work with Industrial Engineering on time studies, line balancing, and headcount optimization. Lead physical station modifications on the floor. Coach the assigned technician on new technologies and support training for new personnel.

• Supplier Interface and Knowledge Transfer: Work with equipment suppliers and OEMs on design clarifications, changes, schedule, and training, communicating in English. Keep a living lessons-learned repository and prepare the handover for the next program.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical-Mechanical, Electronics, Industrial, or Process Engineering, or a related field. 

1. Desirable: Lean / Six Sigma certification (Black Belt), project management (e.g., PMP), engineering finance training, or a related postgraduate degree.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of process or manufacturing engineering experience in the automotive industry, with proven participation in at least one launch, installation, or major line modification (from run-off or equipment validation through PTR and ramp-up).

• Technical Background: Experience in engineering change control (MTC/WERS) and in building investment business cases with budget and purchasing follow-up. Experience in highly automated assembly (robots, 2D/3D vision, torque and press monitoring, end-of-line and leak testing) and in welding or joining processes. Desirable: Powertrain or electrification experience (e.g.: motors, inverters, transmissions) and direct work with equipment suppliers are a plus.

• Skills: Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools, problem solving, statistical tools, time studies, line balancing, ergonomics, project and budget management, and Office applications. Ability to read PFMEA, Control Plans, and reaction plans. Familiarity with launch methodology (GPDS, PTR, workstation readiness) is desirable.

• Leadership and Behaviors: Ability to lead without formal authority, make decisions with incomplete information, and prioritize by impact on milestones and cost in a high-demand environment. You stay calm under pressure, close open items without being chased, escalate on time, and support the team beyond your formal scope. Quick learner, adaptable across programs.

• Language: Professional English (B2 minimum, C1 desirable). Required to review technical documentation, lead equipment reviews, and negotiate changes with international suppliers.

• Availability: Willingness to travel to run-offs, equipment validations, and training with suppliers (Depending on program/schedule). Valid passport and U.S. visa, and willingness to obtain other visas in advance. Flexibility for 12-hour shifts and presence on the shop floor during installation, trial runs, and start-up.

Ford Motor Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as we are committed with a diverse workforce, and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran and basis of disability.

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