Vehicle Systems Launch Manager

The BIW / Closures Vehicle System Launch Manager will provide hands-on technical and cross-functional leadership for the BIW and Closures throughout the program.

The Launch Manager is accountable for leading the cross-functional team to meet program timing while continuously improving build quality. This includes ensuring engineering readiness, part availability, manufacturing process readiness, dimensional convergence, welding and adhesive quality, and rapid resolution of issues affecting vehicle builds.

This is an ownership role, not an issue-tracking role. The VSR is expected to identify risks early, establish priorities, drive technical decisions, remove roadblocks, and remain engaged until issues are permanently resolved and the required build quality is consistently demonstrated.

The Launch Manager will work closely with the VPE Dimensional Team to drive dimensional convergence, repeatability, measurement strategy, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement throughout the BIW / Closures program.

Key Responsibilities:

BIW / Closures Lead Leadership

• Lead the BIW / Closures BIW and Closures cross-functional team through program execution and vehicle builds.
• Serve as the Vehicle Engineering technical leader for BIW and Closures build execution.
• Establish clear cross-functional priorities and drive Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, suppliers, Dimensional, and supporting teams toward common program objectives.
• Own resolution of build issues affecting BIW, Closures, body geometry, joining, fit, function, appearance, or manufacturing execution.
• Drive the team from issue identification through containment, root cause, corrective action, validation, implementation, and effectiveness verification.
• Challenge technical conclusions when data does not demonstrate true root cause.
• Remove roadblocks and escale barriers preventing timely technical resolution.
• Maintain ownership until the solution is implemented and proven effective.

Program Timing & Build Execution

• Lead cross-functional execution to meet BIW / Closures program timing and vehicle build milestones while improving build quality.
• Ensure engineering deliverables, parts, tooling, manufacturing processes, dimensional activities, joining processes, and validation plans are ready to support each build phase.
• Identify risks to upcoming builds early and drive recovery plans before they impact program timing.
• Establish clear owners, deliverables, and timing for critical actions.
• Drive timely resolution of engineering and manufacturing issues that threaten vehicle build execution.
• Balance program timing with engineering rigor, ensuring schedule pressure does not result in accepting unresolved or recurring quality conditions.
• Use each program build to drive measurable improvement in product and process quality.
• Ensure unresolved issues have robust containment and a clearly defined path to permanent corrective action.
• Drive issues to closure rather than carrying known problems from one build phase to the next.

Part Availability & Build Readiness

• Ensure BIW and Closures parts are available to support planned vehicle builds.
• Identify risks associated with part shortages, late components, nonconforming material, engineering changes, supplier readiness, or tooling conditions.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure components arrive at the appropriate design level, quality level, and timing to support the build.
• Drive rapid containment when necessary to protect the build while ensuring permanent corrective actions follow.
• Ensure engineering changes are properly communicated, incorporated, and validated.
• Prevent part availability or configuration issues from becoming repeated build disruptions.

Bodyshop Process & Build Quality

• Own the engineering quality of the BIW…