MicroVision is seeking an experienced Launch Program Manager to lead the successful introduction of new products into manufacturing. This highly cross-functional role will drive all launch activities from design release through production ramp-up, ensuring manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, and operations teams are aligned and prepared to achieve program objectives.
The Launch Program Manager will own launch execution, manage program timing, mitigate risks, and drive readiness across the organization to ensure products are launched on schedule, within budget, and meeting quality and performance requirements. This individual will serve as the operational leader for New Product Introduction (NPI) and production launch activities.
Key Responsibilities
New Product Introduction & Launch Execution
- Lead end-to-end launch activities for new products from development through production ramp-up.
- Develop and maintain integrated launch plans, program timing schedules, and critical path milestones.
- Drive cross-functional execution across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Manufacturing, and Logistics teams.
- Coordinate product industrialization activities to ensure manufacturing readiness prior to launch.
- Manage launch deliverables, dependencies, and timelines to achieve program objectives.
Manufacturing Readiness
- Drive manufacturing readiness reviews and ensure production processes, equipment, tooling, documentation, and staffing plans are in place to support launch.
- Partner with Operations and Engineering teams to support production trials, pilot builds, validation builds, and production ramp activities.
- Ensure process readiness through APQP activities, PFMEA development, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, and work instructions.
- Support implementation and execution of Safe Launch plans and containment strategies.
Supply Chain & Supplier Readiness
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Purchasing teams to ensure supplier readiness and material availability for launch.
- Monitor supplier deliverables, qualification activities, capacity planning, and production readiness.
- Drive issue resolution and escalation with internal teams and suppliers to minimize program risk.
Risk Management & Program Governance
- Lead recurring launch meetings, gate reviews, and executive status updates.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks affecting program timing, quality, cost, or production readiness.
- Escalate critical issues and develop recovery plans to maintain launch objectives.
- Track and communicate launch status, key decisions, and action items to stakeholders and leadership.
Metrics & Continuous Improvement
- Track and report launch KPIs including:
- Program timing and milestone adherence
- Product quality and defect metrics
- Production readiness
- Cost performance
- Supplier performance
- Launch issue closure rates
- Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement activities to strengthen future product launch processes.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related technical discipline.
- 5+ years of experience leading new product launches, NPI programs, manufacturing program management, or production launch activities.
- Experience managing cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven success launching products from development through production ramp.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain processes, and quality systems.
- Experience developing and managing project schedules, risks, budgets, and deliverables.
- Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in automotive, electronics, aerospace, industrial equipment, LiDAR, or advanced manufacturing industries.
- APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, and Production Part Approval Process experience.
- PMP, PgMP, or equivalent Program Management certification.
- Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) or New Product Development (NPD) frameworks.
- Knowledge of AIAG Core Tools and launch readiness methodologies.
- Experience supporting high-volume production launches and manufacturing scale-up activities.
