STA Launch Engineer
Ford · Dearborn, MI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $84k–$141k
- Travel
- 75%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 11 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Ford (automotive) in Dearborn, MI. In case of AIMS related to carry over parts engage Incoming Quality, Site or Resident STA engineers as necessary.
- They ask for
- degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PPAP, APQP, Supplier quality, Tooling
- Base pay
- $84k–$141k
- Day to day
- about 75% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 62 other live manufacturing postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- About 6% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $74k–$166k, from 22 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ New product launch 63%
- ✓ Tooling 59%
- Lean 43%
- FMEA 37%
- ✓ Root cause 37%
- Team leadership 30%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for PPAP, APQP, Supplier quality, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Ford
We found 12 people at this company and state: 9 on the team, 3 leaders, plus 2 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Rob → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 75% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Ford in Dearborn
32 other open roles at this site · 12 people we found on the manufacturing team.
- Manufacturing Engineer- Final Assembly · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Quality Engineer · Quality
- Manufacturing Engineer-Body Shop · Manufacturing
- Powertrain Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- ADAS Verification and Validation Engineer · Quality
- Lean Strategist · Lean / CI · Specialist
Full description from FordAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
to the Site STA Organization and Supply Base.
- ✓Prepare standard documents for all Milestone Reviews, Special Attention Reviews (SAR) and OESAR / NML Assessment)
- ✓Drive resolution of all YELLOW/RED deliverables with cross functional team members.
- ✓Participate in PAT (Program Activity Team), PST (Program Steering Team) and PMT (Program Module Team) change control meetings. Collaborate with CPMT (Component Program Module Team) leaders and Purchasing Program managers to understand program related changes impacting launch.
- ✓Support NMP Part Pedigree meetings and develop Parts Pedigree Risk and Industrialization Readiness Assessment prior to each build for review with STA leadership
- ✓Aggressively manage and review Phased PPAP status and timing plans to deliver on time Phase PPAP approvals
- ✓Arrange cross functional meetings to drive PPAP issues resolution and manage action plans to assure on time PSW approvals
- ✓Proactively monitor, manage and escalate significant issues inhibiting Supplier PPAP/launch risks
- ✓Drive on-time PPAP completion through OTG (Open-to-Go) meetings, PPAP timing alignment with eAPQP and communicate PSW status and delinquencies to Site STA and Program Team.
- ✓Provide onsite STA Launch support for Build events (e.g. DCV (Design Completion Verification) builds, PCF / TCB (Part Coordinate Fixture/Trim Coordination Build), etc.)
- ✓Drive resolution of supplier quality issues raised through AIMS (Automated Issues Management System). Lead containment, 8D follow up, ICA / PCA activity. In case of AIMS related to carry over parts engage Incoming Quality, Site or Resident STA engineers as necessary.
- ✓Support Start up Meetings / FCPA (Ford Consumer Product Audit), VOCF (Voice of Customer Fleet), Campaign Prevention/Fresh Eyes, Craftsmanship, R202, DEMS, Hard Rocks, Shortage meetings, White Board reviews.
You'll have ...
- ✓Bachelor of Science/Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- ✓Be proficient in English when working with global teams
- ✓Knowledge of STA Quality tools and systems
- ✓Knowledge of new model launch tools and systems
- ✓Ability to develop and present materials to leadership on short notice
- ✓Ability to lead resolution of manufacturing, quality, and/or capacity issues on-site with suppliers
- ✓Ability to travel in the US, Canada, and Mexico approximately 50-75% of the time
Even Better ...
- ✓The following skills and experiences are recommended
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
In this position ...
The STA Launch Engineer is responsible for managing supplier quality and launch readiness across the new-model development process. This position serves as a key connection between suppliers and Ford’s cross-functional program teams, ensuring that new and changed components meet quality, timing, capacity, and production-readiness requirements.
The engineer drives APQP and Phased PPAP execution, monitors supplier deliverables, identifies and escalates launch risks, and facilitates action plans to support on-time PSW approval. The role also supports milestone reviews, supplier engagement activities, prototype and pre-production builds, and the resolution of supplier-related quality issues through structured problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration. Success in this position requires strong program management, communication, technical problem-solving, and the ability to lead multiple suppliers and stakeholders through critical launch milestones.
What you will do...
- •Identify all the New Tooled End Items for the program including Multi-Party Agreements and directed tier 2 suppliers.
- •Represent and be supplier advocate in Cross-Functional Meetings
- •Develop program specific NTEI file containing pertinent part number information. Load and maintain program information in the eAPQP System( include late starters, design changes, VPP updates, etc)
- •Obtain site codes for each NTEI from Program Purchasing to initiate eAPQP Schedule A submission requests.
- •Lead Priority supplier selection using GPDS Priority filter, facilitate concurrence with PD (Product Development), Purchasing and Site STA (Supplier Technical Assistance) and notify suppliers
- •Lead Supplier Champion Process supplier selection using Supplier Champion filter, facilitate concurrence with PD (Product Development), Purchasing and Site STA (Supplier Technical Assistance).
- •Train suppliers and cross functional team members, as required, on the Supplier Engagement Process and the APQP/PPAP (Advanced Product Quality Planning/Production Part Approval Process) Readiness Assessment.
- •Manage and track on-time completion of GPDS priority supplier team evaluations.
- •Tracking PPAP and Schedule A (External Supplier APQP/PPAP Readiness Assessment) status and submission
for this role
- •Manufacturing and Quality Experience
- •Cross-Functional/culture work experience
- •Program management experience
- •Extensive knowledge in manufacturing
- •Knowledge of AIAG (APQP), Product Planning Approval Process (PPAP) and extensive use of Quality Tools (5 Why, 8D, etc)
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- •Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
- •Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
- •Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
- •Tuition assistance
- •Establis