Launch Engineer - New Product Introduction, General Assembly

Role Overview

The Launch Engineer for New Product Introduction in General Assembly holds full responsibility for overseeing the entire operational scope when implementing major integrated changes or packages into one or several factories. This role demands leadership of cross-functional teams to verify that engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain validations meet necessary targets before and during program deployment. The engineer ensures readiness of the factory and drives the tactical execution of launching new products into production efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage factory operations across facilities to achieve or surpass program deadlines, adopting a proactive "non-event launch" approach.
• Facilitate and lead cross-departmental meetings to update progress and establish recovery strategies as required, communicating at all organization levels including executives.
• Ensure manufacturing validation, supply chain readiness, factory transitions, and post-launch activities are seamlessly coordinated to guarantee successful start-up and production ramp-up.
• Supervise the completion and verification of the Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM) for the program.
• Confirm all relevant factory systems such as MRP, ERP, and MES are validated and ready to support launch requirements.
• Integrate environment, health, and safety considerations into all manufacturing validations and processes.
• Maintain adherence to New Product Introduction (NPI) procedures, including Process Control Audits and Manufacturing Readiness Tests.
• Track and manage outstanding action items essential for a smooth program rollout with well-communicated follow-ups organization-wide.
• Collaborate and drive outcomes through cross-functional teams encompassing engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, production, control, sales, and service departments.
• Prepare and distribute project status reports, summaries, and issue resolutions on a regular basis.
• Carry out various additional duties supporting NPI and other operational units as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Strong knowledge of production operations and complex production lines, including facility interactions, line balancing, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and error-proofing methods.
• Preferred background in electronics or electrical engineering, manufacturing or industrial engineering, and supply chain management.
• Understanding of manufacturing validation methodologies for complex new product launches spanning multiple engineering teams and factories, including planning and KPI evaluation.
• Creative problem-solving capability, employing diverse methodologies and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong interpersonal abilities.
• Experience working with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP or Oracle.
• Ability to read and interpret simple mechanical blueprints or CAD models.
• Project and program management experience.
• A degree in engineering or equivalent practical experience.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive annual salary range: $96,800 to $217,200 plus cash and stock awards.
• Medical plans including options with zero payroll deductions from day one.
• Family-building support including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental and vision plans with options carrying no paycheck contributions.
• Company contributions to Health Savings Accounts for eligible high-deductible plan participants.
• Various Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Retirement plans featuring 401(k) with company matching and Employee Stock Purchase Plans.
• Company-paid basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage with a 90-day waiting period.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick, vacation, and paid holidays with flexible time management for salaried employees and accruals for hourly personnel.
• Backup childcare solutions and parenting support.
• Voluntary benefits including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, theft and legal services, and pet insurance.
• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs.
• Special programs like Tesla Babies.
• Commuter benefits and employee discounts.