Launch Lead Engineer

At Tata Technologies we make product development dreams a reality by designing, engineering and validating the products of tomorrow for the world’s leading manufacturers. Due to our continued growth we are now recruiting for a Launch Lead Engineer to be based at our Customer Site, Halewood.

Role Purpose

The Launch Lead Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering all manufacturing launch activities from prototype builds through Pilot, VP, TT, Job 1 (J1), and Hypercare. The role ensures production readiness, supplier readiness, issue resolution, and achievement of quality, cost, and timing targets during new product introduction (NPI).

Key Responsibilities

Launch Planning & Readiness

• Develop and manage the programme launch plan and readiness activities.
• Coordinate gateway reviews and manufacturing readiness assessments.
• Monitor launch deliverables across Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, STA, Logistics, Production, and Suppliers.
• Ensure completion of all launch readiness criteria before each build phase.

Build Event Management

• Lead prototype, pilot, validation, and production trial builds.
• Manage shopfloor support during build events.
• Coordinate issue identification, containment, and resolution activities.
• Track build metrics, defects, throughput, and quality performance.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as the central interface between Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, STA, Logistics, Purchasing, and Programme teams.
• Lead daily launch reviews and escalation meetings.
• Ensure actions are assigned, tracked, and closed on time.

Supplier & STA Coordination

• Support supplier launch readiness reviews.
• Coordinate supplier escalation and risk mitigation activities.
• Monitor APQP, PPAP, GP12, and Safe Launch activities.
• Work closely with STA teams to resolve supplier-related concerns.

Manufacturing Readiness

• Verify process, tooling, facilities, equipment, and workforce readiness.
• Ensure operator training and standard work implementation.
• Verify production control plans and manufacturing documentation.
• Support production ramp-up activities.

Quality & Problem Resolution

• Lead structured problem-solving activities for launch concerns.
• Coordinate containment and corrective action implementation.
• Support PFMEA, Control Plan, and Lessons Learned updates.
• Drive achievement of launch quality targets.

Launch Governance & Reporting

• Maintain launch dashboards, risk registers, and action trackers.
• Provide regular status updates to programme leadership.
• Escalate critical risks affecting timing, cost, or quality.
• Support executive launch reviews and customer meetings.

SOP & Hypercare Support

• Lead Job 1 readiness reviews.
• Coordinate launch support during Start of Production (SOP).
• Manage Hypercare activities and issue resolution.
• Drive smooth transition from launch to series production.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Manufacturing readiness achievement.
• Job 1 delivery against programme timing.
• Open launch issue closure rate.
• Build event success metrics.
• Supplier launch readiness.
• First-Time-Through (FTT) performance.
• Defect reduction during launch.
• Hypercare completion and production stabilisation.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting vehicle or manufacturing programme launches.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, GP12, Safe Launch, and Production Readiness processes.
• Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing teams.
• Strong risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder and project management skills.

Desirable

• Previous OEM experience (JLR, BMW, Mercedes, VW, etc.).
• Experience in BIW, Paint, T&F, PTME, Logistics, or Supplier Quality environments.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Familiarity with issue management tools and launch tracking systems.

Key Interfaces

• Programme Management
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Production Operations
• Logistics
• STA / Supplier Quality
• Purchasing
• Quality Engineering
• Plant Leadership
• External Suppliers
• Customer Launch Teams

In return for bringing your expertise to our business we offer a competitive salary along with excellent benefits including:

· Pension Scheme – We match employee contribution up to 5% of salary

· 25 Days’ Holiday

· Private Health Care

· Tata Jaguar Land Rover Privilege Scheme - up to 20% off new JLR vehicles

· Group Income Protection

· Health Assured – Employee Assistance Program

· Group Life Assurance

· Health Shield – Private Health Cash Plan

If you are passionate about bringing innovation to the projects you work on and want to join a global company, then this is the place for you.

Tata Technologies: Engineering a better world.