Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Engineering & Science

Position Summary

Research in tires offers exciting and unique challenges in diverse areas of engineering such as composites, nonlinear materials, contact mechanics, wear, fluid-structure interaction, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, vibrations, acoustics, and multibody and vehicle dynamics. Attribute Technology Engineering, part of the engineering R&D division of Bridgestone Americas, has an opening for an outstanding candidate with sound engineering judgement, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in both experimental and computational mechanics.

The Lead Traction Attribute Engineer will serve as the subject matter expert in ATC leading/supporting end-to-end activities related to tire dry, wet and snow/ice and soil traction performance.

Responsibilities

1. Closely work with core Material Science team to lead new compound CTQ development

2. Work with material labs to ensure high quality HSLFT data collection and improve/enhance the compound friction, viscoelastic and abradability test methods

3. Working with traction TS, lead BSAM fundamental understanding in the areas of contact mechanics and tribology, rubber/surface, rubber/snow interactions, soft materials mechanics, fluid and structure interactions and evacuation and ensure that the understanding and 1st principles are being used in our processes – new technology development, pattern engineering new compounds, etc., - throughout BSAM to improve our traction performance and offer DT products

4. Lead new virtual tool and prediction development for predicting tire wet performance and water evacuation and off-road performance and lead the transformation of the tools throughout their life cycle

5. Work with 0Hoq, market insight, sales engineering, product strategy and marketing teams to characterize VoB and translate them into 1st HoQ test method and own the institutionalization of the test methods

6. Work with 0Hoq, market insight, sales engineering, product strategy and marketing teams to develop new 2nd HoQ and design CTQs and ensure the CTQs are being used throughout development to ensure delivering DT products

7. Serve as the mentor and go-to person in product development in the area of tire traction and lead edge university and other technical training sessions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Highly motivated and a proven track record of solving large, complex, open-ended, and multidisciplinary problems

• Fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering first principles and proven record of applying engineering principles to solve real world problems

• Strong desire and ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse, cross-disciplinary teams

• High motivation and eagerness to pursue new challenges

• Advanced degree or professional experience in mechanical engineering or related fields

• Proficiency in scientific programming (MATLAB, Python, etc.) and computational methods (FEA, CFD, etc.)

• Working knowledge of experimental methods, instrumentation, and data acquisition

• A desire and proven record of developing technology, analytical or numerical tools, and methods to improve product performance in real-world applications

• Proven record and experience leading as subject matter expert and mentoring engineers

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in engineering specializing in tribology, contact mechanics and material modeling and identification

• Experienced working in the industry

• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans that advance fundamental technology and understanding

• Experience with physical testing or theory in friction mechanics, snow and soil mechanics, rubber viscoelasticity, fluid mechanics, or related areas

• Experience with structured problem-solving methods and techniques such as DMAIC

Minimum Qualifications

Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent work experience

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.