Product Development Specialist - NextGen

Yokohama TWS NA; Tivoli; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning

Exposure to international business

Clear career trajectory

Job summary

Yokohama TWS invites high-potential graduates to join NextGen, a multi-year program based at our Tivoli HQ. You will rotate across function areas, gaining hands-on experience in tire design, qualification, and industrialization with cross‑functional teams.

The role focuses on engineering, CAD/FEA tools, and innovative materials to deliver performance-driven tires for global markets; successful candidates will thrive in an international, fast-paced R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent academic results
• Strong English skills (C1)
• Early-career candidates for NextGen program

Responsibilities

• Support product design and development activities aligned with specs and standards.
• Review customer specifications to define suitable designs and solutions.
• Prepare technical drawings, tread patterns, mould profiles and product drawings.
• Maintain Design Data and Bills of Materials for prototype and production tires.
• Define and issue test requests for product qualification (indoors and outdoors).
• Collaborate with Process Development and Production to ensure data accuracy.

Skills

English (C1)

Graduate mindset

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering

Automotive Engineering

Tools

CAD

FEA

Job description

We are Yokohama TWS, a leading global supplier of tires and complete wheels for the agricultural, material handling, construction, motorcycles segments.

We design and manufacture tire and wheel solutions made for the future. With a combination of value, safety and ease, our solutions provide a more productive and sustainable performance our customers demand.

We pair the expertise and power of our global reach with the care and knowledge of local proximity. This brings innovation, technology and sustainability together to answer the specific needs of our customers. All while continuing to reduce our and their impact on the planet.

Our people take ownership to deliver on this promise every day.

We are a global Company with a local reach, operating in more than 50 Countries worldwide with 5.300 employees of 40 different nationalities, 12 state-of-the-art plants and 4 innovation centers. We are part of Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global leader in the tire industry with 1094 billion yen in revenues (approx. 6.7 billion euro), approximately 34,000 people around the globe and with operations in more than 120 countries.

If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, enjoy taking responsibilities and getting things done in the right way, join us! We are plenty of opportunities to grow and develop in a truly dynamic and easy-going environment.

What is NextGen at Yokohama TWS?

Are you a high-potential early-career professional, with excellent academic results and strong English skills?

Are you ready for a journey that adapts to you, not the other way around?

At Yokohama TWS, we are launching NextGen — our new Graduate Program designed to accelerate growth and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

NextGen is different from traditional graduate programs. It is fully personalized around your talents and potential.

Over up to 48 months, you will complete up to three assignments lasting 12 to 18 months each, across different business functions and countries.

Who We Are Looking For

• Early-career candidates
• Excellent academic background, with top marks (Mechanical, Aeronautical or Automotive Engineering)
• Excellent English skills, both written and spoken (C1)

The journey starts and ends at our HQ in Tivoli, offering hands‑on experience and close collaboration with international teams from day one.

We are looking for a Product Development Specialist!

The Product Development Specialist role is designed for young talents who are passionate about engineering, product design and innovation, and who aspire to develop their career within an international R&D environment.

The role supports product design and development activities at Yokohama TWS, contributing to the development of tires that meet technical specifications, customer performance requirements and applicable regulatory standards. Working closely with Product Development, Process Development, Production, Field Engineering and other cross‑functional teams, the candidate will progressively develop expertise in tire design, product qualification, manufacturing specifications and innovative design technologies.

Throughout the program, the candidate will gain hands‑on experience across the different phases of product development, from the interpretation of customer requirements and product design to prototype development, testing and industrialization. The role will also provide exposure to advanced engineering tools and methodologies, including CAD and FEA, as well as innovative materials and technologies for tire development.

Responsibilities

This role will provide you the opportunity to develop your technical expertise and progressively take responsibility for key product development activities. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Support product design and development activities, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, customer requirements and applicable regulatory standards, including ETRTO and TRA.
• Review and interpret customer specifications to support the definition of appropriate product designs and technical solutions.
• Support the preparation of technical drawings, including tread pattern, mould profile and product drawings, to define product configurations.
• Prepare and maintain product Design Data, including manufacturing specifications and Bills of Materials (BOM), supporting prototype and production tire manufacturing.
• Support the definition and issuance of test requests for product qualification, including indoor and outdoor testing activities.
• Collaborate with Process Development and Production teams to ensure that Design Data is accurate, updated and suitable for efficient tire manufacturing.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of technical and departmental documentation in compliance with quality standards and customer audit requirements.
• Contribute to the development and application of new tire design technologies and engineering tools, including CAD and FEA, as well as the evaluation of innovative materials.
• Collaborate with Field Engineering and OE Technical teams to analyze product performance and identify technical solutions to meet customer requirements.
• Support product development projects by monitoring technical activities, timing and key project milestones.

Why "NextGen"?

"NextGen" reflects Yokohama TWS’s commitment to international connectivity, multicultural collaboration, and long‑term talent development.

We Invest Seriously In Your Future

• continuous learning
• real exposure to the business
• a clear trajectory toward managerial roles

If you are ambitious, curious, and eager to grow in a truly global environment, this is your moment.

This position is open to applicants of all genders and is offered in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and non‑discrimination.

The gross base salary range for this role is between 27.500 EUR and 33.000 EUR. The final offer will be determined based on objective criteria, including relevant qualifications, professional experience, role‑related skills, competencies, internal equity and the approved salary structure.

Where applicable, variable pay and benefits will be communicated separately.