US Launch Leader

Position: US Launch Leader  

At Nexteer, our strength lies in the diversity of our team—each member contributing unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. We believe this diversity fuels our innovation, broadens our perspectives, and propels our collective growth.

For over a century, we’ve been innovators in the automotive industry.  Our vision is clear - we are a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our unwavering commitment to Quality, Collaboration, Integrity, and Accountability guides us as we solve motion control challenges for our global customers. If you’re ready to join a dynamic team that drives change and makes a difference, Nexteer welcomes you! 

About the Role:

Nexteer is looking for a qualified candidate to join our team as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer and play a key role in advancing automotive steering technologies. This position focuses on Columns, Intermediate Shafts (I-Shafts), Column Intermediate Shafts (CIS), and Hand Wheel Actuators (HWA). We are looking for an experienced engineer with strong technical expertise and proven problem-solving skills to drive process improvements and support new product launches.

Key Responsibilities

As the US Launch Leader, you will be responsible to:

• Manage multiple US program launches for purchasing.
• Ensure cost competitive and efficient designs are established.
• Ensure that the Bill of Material is launched on time at cost book.
• Track supplier tooling lead time and PPAP delivery.
• Track program cost for piece price and tooling.
• Provide a timely basis accurate Bill of Material cost estimates to the business to support customer quotes through estimation or Request For Quote process.
• Report program status to Nexteer Management.
• Work with Buyers, engineering, and Global Commodity Managers to ensure on time sourcing and report supplier performance for program launch.
• Facilitate cross functional meetings including suppliers to improve program cost and delivery through design and development.
• Aid in the strategic evaluation of potential suppliers and facilitate early supplier involvement.
• Introduce the organization to new technical developments in material and components which will help product engineering achieve its objectives.
• Support the process to establish Statement of Work.
• Participate in core and non-core training to increase personal development.
• Participate in appropriate meetings to represent Purchasing with knowledge needed; including Sourcing Committee, Program Launch Readiness reviews, Supplier Launch reviews, Design Reviews, make versus buy initiatives.
• Support implementation and development of Commodity Strategy and Low Cost Country initiatives, communicate program capacity requirements to purchasing team as well as engineering changes.
• Work with and assist Advanced Quality Engineer to manage timing for quality process(APQP) and confirm completion of critical APQP elements, Design Reviews, Run at Rates, Launch Readiness reviews, and Safe Launch Plans.
• Coordinate and track safe launch audit process
• Resolve technical issues during PPAP and run at rate
• Single point contact for the plant on all supplier quality issues
• Plant support during plant quality walks
• Assist Advanced Purchasing and buyers with technical questions
• Technical resource for plant alignment on supplier processes
• Weekly report out of supplier performance in specific program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Automotive
• Strong Quality experience, Six Sigma Certification preferred
• Operations or Program Management experience preferred
• Excellent at Microsoft Excel and Power Point
• Excellent interpersonal skills with oral and written communication skills
• Work effectively with other in a multicultural environment
• Self driven and motivated leadership and organization skills
• Ability to read blueprints and assess manufacturing feasibility
• Ability for international travel, as required
• Knowledge of commodities, materials and products being purchased
• High analytical ability in complex situations

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree Manufacturing, Engineering or Operations

Nexteer is an Equal Opportunity Employer Disabled/Minorities/Veterans/Women

Nexteer is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities: If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please email careers@nexteer.com. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need an accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.

About Nexteer

Nexteer Automotive is a global leader in advanced steering and motion control systems, enabling intuitive, safe, and comfortable mobility for drivers around the world. Our innovative product portfolio includes Electric Power Steering (EPS), Steer-by-Wire™, Driveline, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies that support electrification, software-defined vehicles, and autonomous driving.

With approximately 13,000 employees and operations in more than 20 manufacturing plants and multiple technical centers globally, Nexteer partners with nearly every major global and regional automotive manufacturer.

Employment Agencies 

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Nexteer Automotive or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed Nexteer Automotive Agency Agreement on file, and search engagement for that position, will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means. Additionally, any resume submitted without a contract in place will be considered Nexteer Automotive property and no fees will be paid to the agency if the candidate is hired. 

Please note, agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by a member of Nexteer’s Human Resources team.  No other Nexteer employee is authorized to bind Nexteer to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by an agency.