Automotive Technician

Bridgestone Americas; Ottumwa (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onboarding & training

Mentorship & growth opportunities

Corporate social responsibility events

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) in Ottumwa, IA is hiring a full-time Automotive Technician. You will road test vehicles before and after service, perform inspections, and diagnose and repair systems across brakes, electrical, engine performance, and HVAC while upholding BSRO standards.

This role pays on a flat-rate basis, with a reported pay range of $18.00–$28.13 per hour, depending on work and experience.

Qualifications

• Reading and writing skills required.
• Ability to learn basic mechanical tasks.
• Must have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times.
• Minimum 2 years of automotive repair experience or demonstrated skills via training/certification.
• A.S.E. certification preferred or equivalent training is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Road test vehicles before and after service.
• Perform inspections and report findings to service management.
• Explain mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals.
• Work on brakes, electrical, engine performance, engine repair, heating/air conditioning, suspension/steering, transmissions and axles as part of the role.
• Keep management informed of service area problems as they occur.
• Assist with other duties to maintain orderly store operations, including tire mounting/removal as needed.
• Drive company vehicles for parts pickup/drop-off.
• Adhere to BSRO SOPs and safety policies.
• Support on-the-job training for new technicians.

Skills

Reading and writing

Mechanical aptitude

Driver's license

Automotive repair experience

Education

Vocational-technical auto repair training

Job description

649112 Ottumwa

Full time

2026_24492

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. 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

Services and repairs automotive systemsPay Range: $18.00 - $28.13

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 quality and efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you're fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication. The rates shown reflect earning potential within this region and may be lower or higher based on available work, individual productivity, and experience.

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

Responsibilities

Customer and Vehicle Service (85%)

• Personally road tests automobiles (both before and after service work is performed)

• Performs inspections on assigned vehicles following BSRO procedures (according to M.A.P. Guidelines) to reports findings to service management

• Adequately explains mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include teammates and Bosses on an as-required basis

• Performs tasks for which they are qualified in one or more of the following areas: brakes, electrical, engine performance, engine repair, heating/air conditioning, suspension/steering, automatic transmissions/transaxles and manual drivetrains and axles

• Keeps store management aware of service area mechanical repair problems as they occur

• Performs other duties as assigned or as required for the orderly management of the store, such as: removing mounting and/or installing tires, shock absorbers, batteries and other automotive supplies and services; loading and unloading trucks requiring the movement of items weighting up to 100 lbs

• Drives Boss or company vehicles to drop off and pick-up Bosses or automotive parts

• Practices proficiency in the application of BSRO methods, standards and procedures

• Continuously learns new technical information and techniques in formal training sessions in order to stay or become proficient in automotive diagnosis and repair

• Maintains A.S.E. certification(s)

• BSRO certifications completed and current

• Follows all BSRO applicable BSRO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies

Miscellaneous Functions (15%)

• Maintains service center standards of cleanliness, orderliness and appearance of space and equipment in the service department

• Reviews maintenance/operating efficiency of tools and store equipment, i.e. engine diagnostic equipment, alignment machines, brake lathes, etc. If needed, the store will contact the qualified repair vendor to perform the maintenance

• Complies with company safety policy and federal/state OSHA safety requirements which include, but is not limited to, the wearing of approved eye protection, proper lifting techniques, proper wheel torqueing, proper footwear, etc.

• Attends meetings as required by management

• Helps to provide on-the-job training for new Maintenance Technicians, General Service Positions, Installers and apprentice VSTs

• Other duties as assigned by Store Manager, Service Manager and/or Manager of Vehicle Services

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Store Deliveries

• Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail location

• Storage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)

• Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racks

• Roll tires to storage and place in storage racks

• Roll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racks

• Roll tires to storage and place into stacks

• Tires weigh between (11 lbs. & 66 lbs.)

• Majority of tires weight between (18 lbs. & 27 lbs.)

• Pushing or pulling tires into or out of tight racks requires (15 to 55 lbs.) of force

Tire Service

• Perform 0 to 3 flat repairs per day

• Mount and balance 4 to 28 tires per day

• Rotate wheels on 1 to 7 vehicles per day

• Pull new tires for customers weighing between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.)

• Average car tire weighs (27 lbs.), Average truck/SUV tire weighs (35 lbs.), Average Off Road Truck tire weighs (44.5 lbs.)

• Tire racks are between (4in. & 106in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store

• Wheels weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.) with an average of (20.6 lbs.)

• Place wheels and tires on mounting machines between (28in. & 31in.)

• Place wheels on balancer between (27in. & 29in.)

• Tire mounting handles are between (19in. & 64in.)

• Use foot controls to remove and mount tires

• Tire repair stand are between (36in. & 39in.)

• Pulling back the tire bar to hook onto the mounting machine requires (20 to 35 lbs.) of force

• Pulling the valve stem with a tool requires (1 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Wing nut for balancer weighs (4 lbs.)

• Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)

• Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed

• Air hoses hang between (72in. & 80in.)

Oil Changes

• Oil changes can take between (35 min. & 1 hour)

• Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force

• Pulling oil hose to vehicles requires (4 to 13 lbs.) of force

• Oil hoses hang between (66in. & 80in.)

• Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• Oil filters are stored between (4in. & 61in.)

• Individual quarts of oil weigh (1.5 to 2 lbs.)

• Oil filters weigh less then (5 lbs.)

Alignments

• Perform between 2 & 10 alignments per day

• Sliding vehicle plates requires up to (20 lbs.) of force

• Alignment remote weighs (4.5 lbs.)

• Sliding alignment jacks requires (10 to 55 lbs.) of force

• Alignment computer keyboard is between (44in. & 47in.)

• Alignment reflectors are between (22in. & 60in.)

• Alignment reflectors weigh between (10 & 16 lbs.)

• Alignment break arm weighs (1.5 lb.)

• Step onto and off of alignment rack to access steering wheel, key and to set the parking in the vehicle

• Use hand tools to make adjustments under the vehicle

• All adjustments are performed overhead while vehicle is on the rack

Fluid Service

• Fluid services can take up to 1 hour

• Perform 1 to 5 fluid services per day

• Fill transmission machine with 7 to 11 quarts of fluid

• Fill coolant with up to 2 gallons weighing (9 lbs.) each

• Old jugs of coolant can weigh up to (30 to 35 lbs.)

• Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force.

• Use hand tools for fluid services

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available

• Perform overhead work under the vehicle

• Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering coolant cart requires (4 to 20 lbs.) of force

Brake Service

• Perform 0 to 2 brake fluid exchanges per day

• Perform 0 to 2 brake pad changes per day

• Perform 0 to 2 rotor services per day

• Brake services can take between 1 & 2 hours per axle

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)

• Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed.

• Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available

• Hanging lights are between (76in. & 80in.)

• Place rotors on the lathe between (39in. & 44in.)

• Lathe controls are between (34in. & 40in.)

• Total weight of wheels and tires together weigh an average of (30 to 55 lbs.) and can go up to (114 lbs.)

• Calipers weigh between (5 & 12 lbs.)

• Box of new rotors weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.)

• Brake pads weigh between (1 & 5 lbs.)

• Brake fluid vacuum device weighs up to (11 lbs.)

Miscellaneous

• Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting force

• Closing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weight

• Drive Boss vehicles

• Batteries are on racks between (3in. & 48in.) weighing between (27 & 49 lbs.)

• Supplies are between (5in. & 112in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store

• Supplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Cold work environment in the winter with a cold cement floor

• Hot work environment in the summer

• Oil and other slippery substances on the floor at times

• Exposure to a variety of chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.

• Use hand, power and air tools to perform repairs

Minimum Qualifications

• Reading and writing

• Ability to learn basic mechanical tasks

• Must have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles

• Must have a minimum 2 years of automotive repair experience, completion of Vocational-Technical School program in a related field or demonstrated skills via third party certificates/assessment.

• A.S.E certification in at least one of A1-A8 is preferred. Will accept equivalent external qualifications or training certifications. (New Hires with external similar qualification/certification will have up to 2 years of employment to comply.)

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves to work. 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. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.

• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.

• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.

• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.

• An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to 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.

Based in Nashville Tennessee, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The Bridgestone Americas family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility (CSR), commitment Our Way to Serve, Bridgestone embraces its responsibility as a global leader by striving to improve the way people move, live, work and play.