Launch and Central Engineering Area Manager

Lead new product launches and Central Engineering capabilities for the plant, connecting product strategy with strong manufacturing execution. The position integrates two main responsibilities: ensuring successful launches of new programs, meeting safety, quality, timing, cost, and production ramp-up objectives; and developing the engineering capabilities, infrastructure, equipment, and processes needed to support current and future plant operations.

The goal is simple: successfully launch the next product while building the manufacturing capability needed for the one after it.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of new programs from manufacturing preparation through start of production and volume stabilization.
• Direct and develop the Launch and Central Engineering organizations, setting priorities and driving effective collaboration between the plant, program teams, and corporate functions.
• Manage the master launch plan, budget, resources, risks, and governance mechanisms needed to meet program objectives.
• Lead the preparation and execution of prototypes, pre-series builds, manufacturing validation events, readiness assessments, and production ramp-up plans.
• Represent the voice of the plant to program teams and coordinate the resolution and escalation of risks that could affect safety, quality, cost, timing, or volume.
• Lead the Central Engineering strategy related to installed capacity, infrastructure, facilities, and the integration and release of new equipment and processes.
• Ensure engineering projects deliver solutions that are safe, capable, maintainable, efficient, and production-ready.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, automation, and new manufacturing technologies that increase the plant's competitiveness.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Relevant experience in automotive manufacturing, preferably in new product launch, manufacturing engineering, operations, or technical project management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in high-complexity environments.
• Ability to manage projects, priorities, resources, risks, and budgets with a results-oriented approach.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems, quality, process capability, and continuous improvement.
• Advanced English for interacting with global teams.

Nice to have:

• Experience with structured product development and automotive launch systems.
• Experience in Advanced Product Quality Planning, manufacturing & production readiness, and ramp-up.
• Experience in capacity planning, layouts, facilities, commissioning, or new equipment implementation.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, FMEA, Control Plans, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience managing capital projects and engineering budgets.
• Master's degree or additional training in business administration, engineering, or project management.

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About Us At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow’s transportation.

About The Team We build world-class vehicles in our plants around the world, constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. It’s our people who really make the difference. We encourage all of our employees to think outside the box to help us find better and more efficient ways to manufacture our vehicles.