Launch Support Engineer - Closures

Job Description

Role Summary Ford is seeking a senior Launch Support Engineer – Closures to support Advanced EV vehicle launch activities. This role serves as the on‑site technical liaison between the Irvine, CA design team and manufacturing, quality, and launch teams at build facilities. The focus is launch execution, issue resolution, and cross‑functional alignment—not hands‑on design or TPM work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead closures launch support during vehicle builds, inspections, and validation

• Act as the primary technical interface between design engineering and on‑site teams

• Drive daily alignment through startup meetings, floor reviews, and issue forums

• Identify build risks, inspection needs, trials, and issues requiring escalation

• Review CAD (CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE) to assess design intent, interfaces, tolerances, and launch risk

• Apply engineering fundamentals (GD&T, functional quality, steeling, A‑surface) to support issue resolution

• Lead and support problem‑solving efforts (A/B problem solving, PPAP support)

• Document issues, root causes, and recommendations and communicate clearly to design teams

• Support manufacturing and quality investigations to ensure closures meet design and performance intent

• CLOSURES: Doors, hood, liftgate, door mechanisms Exposure to stampings, sheet metal, die castings, sealing systems, mechanisms, and exterior components

Skills and Requirements

Qualifications

• 8+ years automotive experience with OEM launch support
• Strong design engineering background with prior hands‑on experience
• Proven success in fast‑paced vehicle launch environments
• Experience reviewing CAD in CATIA 3DX (CATIA V5 or Siemens NX acceptable)
• Strong understanding of GD&T, functional quality, steeling, and A‑surface concerns
• Familiarity with issue‑tracking systems (e.g., JIRA) Previously worked at Ford or GM

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].