Medium Truck Tire Engineer (23888)

Sumitomo Rubber North America; Rancho Cucamonga (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Rubber North America seeks a Product Engineer for field-based tire projects. You will evaluate product performance, identify quality issues, and ensure service levels meet customer expectations across the U.S. and Canada. The role collaborates with QA and Product Planning to align with market needs.

The position requires a strong tire engineering background, cross-functional communication, and ability to travel up to 65% with occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Automotive-related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of a degree (minimum 8 years without a degree).
• Minimum 5 years of technical tire industry experience, preferably in development or field engineering.

Responsibilities

• Fleet Tire Testing and product benchmarking to assess performance.
• Quality control, fleet inspections, and PSI surveys.
• Warranty services, scrap pile analysis, and client liaison.
• Provide technical oversight and collaborate across QA and Sales teams.

Skills

Fleet testing

Product benchmarking

Quality control

Client liaison

Cross-functional communication

Travel up to 65%

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Automotive field

Equivalent experience with minimum 8 years without degree

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Corporate Headquarters - Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730Salary Range: $91,294.00 - $133,550.00 Salary

The Product Engineer is an entry-level engineering position responsible for evaluating product performance, identifying quality issues, and ensuring a high level of service that meets customer expectations. This role works closely with the Quality Assurance and Product Planning teams to confirm that products align with both customer needs and market demands.

The Product Engineer is expected to work independently with guidance from the Field Engineering Manager while also collaborating across departments. A key responsibility includes identifying and qualifying test users and fleets to support the development and management of a wide range of TBR projects nationwide. These projects may include product comparison testing, new product development, after-sales service, and warranty support for truck tires.

Through proactive collaboration with the QA and Sales teams, the Product Engineer plays a vital role in problem-solving and in shaping the future of Falken Tires commercial product line. The ideal candidate possesses a solid understanding of commercial truck tire construction, industry applications, and field research principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Fleet Tire Testing
• Product Benchmarking
• Quality Control
• Fleet Inspections
• PSI (Air Pressure) Surveys
• Warranty Services
• Scrap Pile Analysis
• Client Liaison
• Technical Oversight

QualificationsWork Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of technical experience in the tire industry, preferably in tire development or field engineering.

Education & Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or an Automotive-related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of a degree (a minimum of eight years of related experience required without a degree).

Skills & Competencies

• Willingness to travel up to 65% of the time across the U.S. and Canada, including occasional weekends.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively across all levels of business and understand stakeholder needs.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial truck tire engineering, production processes, applications, and related industries, including familiarity with industry regulations, standards, and safety protocols.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural environments.
• Flexibility to operate in adverse and rapidly changing weather and field conditions.
• Strong diagnostic skills for identifying and resolving commercial truck tire issues.
• Customer-focused communication skills with proven experience in building strong client relationships.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks based on urgency.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Commitment to following company policies and safety guidelines.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, sit, and use hands/fingers for extended periods.
• Frequent walking on level surfaces; occasional reaching above shoulder height and below the waist.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

Primarily field-based role with exposure to challenging weather conditions, significant temperature variations, and occasional weekend or after-hours work.