LAUNCH PROCESS ENGINEER

IMPACT and OPPORTUNITY

The launch process engineer is responsible for ensuring the process and line readiness on time, with the highest quality and making sure Gentherm manufacturing requirements and customer are met. The process engineer partners with the Program manager, Design Engineer, Advanced Quality Engineer, and Supply Chain Analyst to ensure a flawless launch by ensuring tooling, machines, manufacturability of the product, CSR and material availability. Is responsible for daily project follow up, attend customer meetings as needed, run trials, define the tools and process necessary to produce the parts. Process Engineer needs to know and follow up Gentherm’s Product creation standard and conduct all the launch phases according to the standard.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow up and meet Gentherm’s product creation procedure for the applicable phases (process).
• Follow up and meet Launch process workbook and ensure all standard deliverables.
• Attends project kick off meeting
• Release product design drawings in coordination with Design Engineer.
• Define process for product manufacturability.
• Define equipment, tooling, machines and necessary line requirements.
• Define equipment, tooling, machines and line devices cost and timeline.
• Quote and submit Purchasing orders for the equipment, tooling, machines and line devices needed.
• Submit and follow up CAPEX approval
• Create all process and manufacturing engineering documentation for the project
• Conduct and coordinate the DV run, pre-launch report, PV run, PPAP run and Job zero run, make sure all launch trails are properly documented.
• Coordinates with the process engineer to buy and validate new equipment or machines.
• Perform all process test report as necessary
• Coordinate with PFMEA moderator to conduct the line Reverse PFMEA
• Conduct and coordinate with Quality Engineer the management review and Launch readiness review.
• Conduct and coordinate with customer and support areas the R@R event 
• Escalate to Industrial Engineering Manager when project faces high risk or when project deliveries are in a critical situation due to lack of support, other area involvement or customer issues flagged.
• Attend immediately 8D meetings and define urgent activities if customer complaint is reported during project development.
• Follow up with responsible functions to ensure that all fixtures, jigs, production tools, new equipment, materials, documentation, and test programs are ready in time for builds as agreed with Program Manager as part of launch readiness activities.
• Follow on the completion of customer specific documentation by working closely with quality and business unit leaders to fulfill and submit documentation on time.
• Work with program team to ensure SAP workflow is executed in time for factory team to be successful. Escalate to PM when roadblocks exist.
• Provide meeting minutes of team preparation meetings. Support Program Manager attending to program meetings when necessary
• Participate in Pre-Production failure analysis as agreed with the Program Manager.
• Gain solid technical understanding of all products where responsible for launch; seek training as necessary to build technical understanding; develop local subject matter expertise.
• Support preparation activities for delivery of product designed packaging materials to avoid unintentional damage during transit.
• Ensure fast and accurate response to Program Management as necessary to provide excellent customer support. 
• Contact Program Manager for support as necessary to ensure fast and accurate technical responses.
• Coordinate with Advance quality engineer to submit and receive PPAP customer approval
• Coordinate with support areas the line SOP

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, Mechatronics or similar.
• 5 years of automotive process launch experience
• Project coordination
• Experience in production and process engineering required
• Knowledge of program/project management software
• Basic Knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of APQP
• Knowledge of PPAP
• Knowledge of SAP
• Knowledge in office tools