Director, Plant Launch

The Director of Plant Launch will lead all plant-level launch readiness activities for new vehicle, powertrain, and battery programs at Lucid’s AMP-1 manufacturing facility in Arizona. This role is critical to ensuring that all launches, whether new platforms, derivatives, or model year changes, are executed safely, on time, within budget, and to world-class quality standards.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Vehicle Assembly Plants, this leader will coordinate cross-functional efforts across Launch Program Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Vehicle Program Management, and Product Development to deliver seamless integration of new products into the AMP-1 facility. The scope includes onsite execution and offsite prototype build planning and support.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the AMP-1 plant launch strategy for all vehicle, powertrain, battery and capacity programs.
• Coordinate detailed launch readiness plans including staffing (hourly and salaried), workstation readiness, and build event execution.
• Manage pre-build planning and execution, including control plan development, quality audit requirements, and prototype resource support.
• Oversee delivery and shipping of vehicles required for testing and validation.
• Define and manage launch budgets and financial requirements in alignment with plant and program goals.
• Ensure all launch activities meet Lucid’s standards for safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Drive execution of SOP ramp-up volume curves and ensure alignment with production and business targets.
• Lead cross-functional issue resolution and serve as the escalation point for critical launch topics at AMP-1.
• Conduct launch readiness reviews and communicate status, risks, and recovery plans to senior leadership.
• Champion lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance launch repeatability and efficiency.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of plant launch leaders and coordinators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of operational experience in automotive or complex manufacturing environments, with significant involvement in product or vehicle launches.
• Proven track record of leading plant-level launches from concept through ramp-up.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and product development integration.
• Experience developing and executing launch-related operating processes and procedures.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience in EV or advanced technology manufacturing environments preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required, including support for offsite prototype builds.