Automotive Lead Technician

Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; Piedmont (SC); On-site; USD 2,988,014 - 5,637,139; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

Paid vacation

ASE certifications

Flexible schedule

401(k) match

Daily pay

Job summary

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) in Piedmont, SC is seeking a Lead Technician to diagnose drivability and electrical systems while mentoring a team to deliver high‑quality customer care. Pay range: $21.69 - $40.92 per hour with a flat-rate pay model reflecting regional productivity.

You will work with advanced automotive technology and participate in paid formal training. ASE certifications within two years are encouraged, tests paid by the company, with bonuses for passes.

Qualifications

• Strong communication to explain technical info to non-technical people.
• Team leadership and mentorship of technicians.
• Ability to stay current with automotive tech through training.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair to specs across brake, hydraulic, exhaust, ignition, electrical, suspension, AC, and computer systems.
• Explain diagnoses and needed repairs to customers in clear terms.
• Stay current with evolving automotive tech through paid formal training.
• Assist and train technicians in performing technical tasks.
• Pursue ASE certifications (A1–A8); tests are company-paid; bonuses for passed tests.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

ASE certification (A1–A8)

Tools

Diagnostic tools

Brake/align diagnostic tools

Job description

Company Overview

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $4.5 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career. Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self 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 are made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Job Category

Retail

Position Summary

The Lead Technician position requires your experience and technical expertise to diagnose drivability and electrical systems, while using your leadership and mentoring skills in driving a team toward increased customer care and satisfaction.

Pay Range: $21.69 - $40.92

Our technicians enjoy a performance-based compensation model known as flat-rate pay. This system rewards our skilled professionals with a predetermined amount for each eligible task, fostering a culture of efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you’re fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication. These rates reflect average productivity by region.

Bridgestone is committed to fair and lawful compensation practices. All employees receive pay that meets or exceeds the applicable minimum wage requirements.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair to specifications - brake and hydraulic, exhaust, primary and/or advanced fuel ignition and electrical, suspension and alignment, air conditioning and computer systems.
• Adequately explain technical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals.
• Stay current with rapidly changing automotive technology through continuous paid formal training.
• Assist and train technicians/mechanics in performing technical activities.
• Obtain or maintain A.S.E. certifications in at least five of A1 – A8 within first two years of employment. (Tests and registrations fees are paid for by company pass or fail. Technicians receive bonus for each test passed)

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a valid automobile driver's license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles.
• Skilled in brakes diagnosis/repair.
• Skilled in alignment, steering & suspension diagnosis/repair.
• Skilled in general automotive maintenance & tire repair.
• Current federal, state and local certification/license where applicable.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people.
• Reading, writing and math skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of any of the following:
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Engine repair
• Engine performance
• Automatic transmission/transaxle
• Manual drivetrain/transmission
• Automotive heating/AC
• 5 years of automotive repair experience, demonstrated skills via third party assessments/certifications, or completion of Vocational-Technical School Program
• A.S.E. certification in at least 3 of A1-A8 (L1 can be one of the three – Brakes and Steering & Suspension A.S.E.s preferred)

OUR CREW KNOWS BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision – Starting day 1 for all our teammates.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• On-the-job training and company-funded ASE certifications.
• Flexible work schedule.
• 401(k) match.
• On demand pay (daily pay) program available.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity 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.

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.