Quality Launch Supervisor

Position Summary

The Quality Launch Supervisor is responsible for leading quality activities associated with new vehicle launches, engineering changes, product introductions, validation builds, production ramp-up, and the transition to stable series production. This role provides hands-on quality leadership across manufacturing operations to ensure product and process risks are identified early, validation requirements are completed, defects are contained, and corrective actions are effectively implemented before impacting customers or downstream operations.

The Quality Launch Supervisor partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Technical Quality, Production, Digital/Software, and Launch teams to ensure launch readiness is supported by objective quality evidence and robust risk management. This position requires strong knowledge of automotive quality systems, launch management processes, and structured problem-solving methodologies within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Launch Quality Leadership

• Lead quality execution activities during prototype, pilot, pre-production, validation, and production ramp-up builds.
• Establish launch quality priorities and coordinate daily activities for Quality personnel supporting launch operations.
• Monitor launch-related quality issues and proactively escalate risks that may impact vehicle quality, production readiness, customer acceptance, or delivery schedules.
• Participate in launch readiness reviews, build reviews, and cross-functional launch meetings.
• Drive issues through containment, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, validation, and closure.
• Support the transition from launch containment activities to standard production quality controls.
• Ensure launch quality objectives and milestones are achieved throughout the vehicle development cycle.

Vehicle & Manufacturing Quality

• Provide on-floor quality leadership during vehicle builds, launch events, and production activities.
• Ensure defects are accurately documented, categorized, prioritized, and assigned for resolution.
• Coordinate inspection and validation activities for suspect vehicles, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Verify implementation and effectiveness of containment actions and corrective actions.
• Identify recurring defects and systemic concerns requiring process, equipment, or engineering intervention.
• Escalate critical quality concerns when release criteria or validation requirements have not been satisfied.
• Support cross-functional teams in resolving quality concerns impacting launch readiness.

APQP & Launch Readiness

• Support execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities throughout new product launches.
• Review and assess:
• Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
• Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs)
• Control Plans
• Inspection Standards
• Work Instructions
• Validation Documentation
• Production Readiness Deliverables
• Ensure high-risk PFMEA items have effective prevention and detection controls.
• Support Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions and production validation activities.
• Verify quality deliverables are completed before defined launch gates and release milestones.
• Support launch audits and readiness assessments to ensure manufacturing and quality compliance.

Problem Solving & Corrective Action

• Lead and facilitate structured problem-solving activities utilizing:
• 8D Methodology
• 5 Why Analysis
• Ishikawa (Fishbone) Analysis
• Pareto Analysis
• Root Cause Analysis Techniques
• Establish immediate containment actions for critical quality concerns.
• Ensure corrective actions address verified root causes rather than symptoms.
• Validate corrective action effectiveness and prevent defect recurrence.
• Drive lessons learned into PFMEAs, Control Plans, manufacturing processes, and standardized work.

EV Systems & Technical Quality

Provide launch quality support across vehicle systems, including:

• High-voltage battery systems
• Electric drive units and powertrain systems
• Low-voltage electrical systems
• Charging systems
• Thermal management systems
• Chassis and suspension systems
• Body structures and closure systems
• Interior and exterior systems
• Vehicle software and electronic control systems

Quality Data, Metrics & Reporting

• Track launch defects, containment activities, corrective actions, readiness risks, and recurring concerns.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends, emerging risks, and high-impact improvement opportunities.
• Maintain visibility of open quality issues and overdue corrective actions.
• Prepare and present launch quality status reports, risk assessments, and escalation summaries to leadership.
• Support development and maintenance of launch quality dashboards, scorecards, and performance metrics.
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to prioritize resources and drive quality improvements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Quality Technicians, Inspectors, and other assigned personnel.
• Establish daily assignments based on launch activities, production priorities, and resource requirements.
• Ensure consistent execution of inspection, containment, verification, and reporting activities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, standardized work, escalation discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate quality support coverage for critical launch builds and production schedules.
• Foster collaboration across quality, manufacturing, and engineering organizations.

Launch Risk & Release Management

The Quality Launch Supervisor is responsible for continuously assessing launch readiness by ensuring the following questions can be confidently answered:

1. What is the defect or concern?
2. Which vehicles, components, or processes are potentially affected?
3. Is effective containment in place?
4. Has root cause been identified and corrective action validated?
5. Is there objective evidence supporting product release?

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform job responsibilities, interpret work instructions, understand safety requirements, and communicate effectively.
• Experience in automotive, electric vehicle, manufacturing, launch, supplier, or production quality environments.
• Working knowledge of:
• APQP
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• PPAP
• MSA
• SPC
• Root Cause Analysis
• 8D Problem Solving
• Engineering Change Management
• Quality Management Systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and high-voltage systems.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and quality control methodologies.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional production environment.
• Previous supervisory, lead, or technical team leadership experience.
• Experience supporting new vehicle launch or new product introduction (NPI) programs.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 Automotive Quality Management Systems.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality organizations.
• Familiarity with vehicle diagnostics, software-driven quality concerns, and configuration management.
• Strong technical writing, reporting, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Ability to lead multiple priorities while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and launch execution.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, or alternative schedules during critical launch activities as required.
• Frequent presence in manufacturing and production environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout production facilities for extended periods.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with all safety requirements.
• Occasional travel may be required to support launch, supplier, or manufacturing activities.